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Australian Team set for World Championships showdown in Poznan

Paddle Australia

Australia’s leading Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe athletes are set to take on the world’s best at the 2026 ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in Poznan, Poland from 26-30 August.

The 18-strong Australian team features Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship medallists, with athletes looking to build on a strong World Cup season and finish the international year on the world stage.

With increased ranking points on offer, the World Championships will also provide an important opportunity for Australia’s athletes to strengthen their positions on the road to the LA2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

2026 has been the comeback season for four-time Paralympic gold medallist Curtis McGrath, who has returned to international racing after a break following the Paris Games.

With a gold medal already to his name in the KL2 200 at the World Cup in Brandenburg earlier this season, McGrath is hoping to continue his winning ways at the World Championships this week.

“I had a good hit out in Brandenburg in really cold, choppy conditions so a bit similar to this (Poznan),” McGrath said.

“But it was nice to get that out of the way and get a feel back for the international season, and see where everyone’s at.

“This one here is obviously worth a lot more points for qualifying for LA, so looking forward to executing that. But at the same time, really looking forward to just racing,” he said.

Poznan has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Natalia Drobot – a New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder – in the past, winning gold at last year’s World Cup with paddling partner Kailey Harlen.

It’s a success that Drobot says she’d love to repeat at the World Championships.

“Really looking forward to racing, it will be nice to end the season on a high and being able to showcase the work that we’ve all put in over the last 11 months,” Drobot said. “It’s been a big season (so far) and I’m really proud of all the work that the team has put in.

“There’s definitely some good memories here, Poland is a special place for us. Looking forward to putting some good races out there and hoping for the best.”

All eyes will be on Australia’s Men’s K4 combination, who have already won two bronze and one silver medal across the 2026 World Cup season.

In Poznan, it will be the combination of Paris Olympic silver medallists Riley Fitzsimmons (NSWIS), Pierre van der Westhuyzen and Noah Havard, alongside Olympic gold medallist Jean van der Westhuyzen, that will take to the water.

“We’re feeling super confident,” Pierre said. “We’ve put a couple of different crews out there (so far this season) and they’ve all managed to do really well.

“It’s a testament to the depth in the program. We’ve put a couple of weeks work into this four now, and it’s been going really well, so keen to see how we go,” he said.

But it won’t be the only team boat that Pierre is racing this week, teaming up with his older brother Jean in the Men’s K2 500.

“It’s always really exciting (racing with Jean),” Pierre said.

“It’s not been the main focus, the (K)4 is the focus because that’s where the most points are coming for qualification for the Olympics.

“But still super keen to get out there and see what we can do,” he said.

The 2026 Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships gets underway on Wednesday 26 August. For the full racing program – click here

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