Aimee Fisher has done it again. The New Zealand paddler won gold in the Women’s K1 1000m at the ICF Canoe Sprint & Paracanoe World Cup in Montreal over the weekend, crossing the line more than 3 seconds clear of Hungary’s Zsoka Csikos and Germany’s Caroline Heuser. It was a commanding display from the Kiwi, who continues to prove herself among the world’s elite in sprint canoe racing.
Fisher returned to the water the next day for the Women’s K1 500m A final, finishing fourth. While not the medal she would have hoped for, the back-to-back races against the world’s best provided valuable competition heading into the season.
The Montreal regatta saw mixed fortunes for the wider New Zealand team. Scott Martlew secured fourth place in his KL2 500m paracanoe event, a strong result at his first international outing of 2026. The result carries added significance, earning him qualification points towards the LA2028 Paralympics and proving he can perform when it matters on the global stage.
Quaid Thompson found his rhythm in the Men’s K1 5000m, finishing sixth overall and marking his best World Cup result this season. He also competed in the Men’s K1 1000m B final, where he finished seventh in that race (16th overall).
The men’s K4 crew of Kacey Ngataki, Kalani Gilbertson, Kaiha Gilbertson, and James Scott finished eighth in their 500m semifinal, missing out on advancing further. For this young combination making their debut at an international event together, the Montreal regatta provided crucial racing experience and insights into what competing at this level demands.
