The European Canoe Marathon Championships are back in Ponte de Lima after an eight-year hiatus. This Thursday to Sunday event brings together 250 competitors from 26 countries, including 42 athletes from Portugal.
Fernando Pimenta and José Ramalho are the standout athletes on the Portuguese team.
Ramalho, 42, is going for his eighth European title in the long-distance K1 event. He also competes in the 3.4 km short race on Thursday and teams up with Pimenta on Sunday in the K2 event.
They are the reigning world champions, having taken the title in 2022.
Pimenta, competing on home turf, is also in the short race on Thursday. He won the world title in this distance in 2022 and 2023.
Competition Details
The European Championships feature athletes from senior, under-23, and junior categories, in both men’s and women’s events.
Ponte de Lima has a proven track record of hosting top-level canoeing events, having previously hosted the 2022 World Championships and the 2017 European Championships.
Athlete Profiles
- Fernando Pimenta: Competing in the short race and K2 event with José Ramalho.
- José Ramalho: Aiming for his eighth European title in the long-distance K1 event.
This event is a highlight of the international canoeing calendar, attracting athletes from across Europe and beyond. With its rich history of hosting major competitions, Ponte de Lima is the perfect venue for this year’s European Canoe Marathon Championships.