Four New Zealand paddlers will fly the flag in Montreal this week as the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup kicks off Thursday night at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Aimee Fisher and Quaid Thompson are returning for their third world cup of the year, while Scott Martlew makes his first international outing of 2026 in the men’s KL2 200m. A fresh men’s K4 crew, featuring Kasey Ngataki, Kalani Gilbertson, Kaiha Gilbertson, and James Scott, completes the New Zealand contingent.
The four-day competition runs through Sunday 12 July at the Olympic Basin in Montréal, Québec. Fisher will contest both the women’s K1 500m and 1000m, with Thompson tackling the men’s K1 1000m and 5000m. For Martlew, a Paralympian racing in the KL2 category, the Montreal course offers an early chance to test form against the world’s best ahead of what shapes as a significant season.
The men’s K4 presents a different challenge. Racing in the 500m, it’s an alternate combination from the usual line-up, suggesting Canoe Racing NZ is managing crew rotations through the world cup circuit. How the new quartet gels under international pressure will be worth watching closely.
All the action streams live via Planet Canoe’s YouTube channel, though viewers will need a membership subscription at $18.99 NZD per month to access coverage. It’s a small outlay for uninterrupted live racing from one of the paddling season’s key milestones.
Kiwi heats begin early Friday morning NZT, with Fisher in women’s K1 1000m at 1.07am, the K4 crew at 2.23am, and Thompson’s men’s K1 1000m heat at 9.05am. Martlew’s KL2 200m heat comes through at 3.18pm NZT the same day. Follow Canoe Racing NZ’s Instagram and Facebook throughout the weekend for live updates and results as the team chases strong performances in Canada.
