Canoeing World Cup kicked off in Nujiang, NW Yunnan

The 2019 Wildwater Canoeing World Cup was Launched in Liuku, northwest Yunnan’s Nujiang autonomous prefecture of the Lisu minority yesterday on December 12.

As the most famed and influential canoeing competition, it has been participated by more than 100 top paddlers from over 20 different countries.

This year’s event is jointly organized by the International Canoeing Federation (ICF) based in Lausanne, Switzerland, Chinese Canoe Association, Yunnan Provincial Sports Bureau as well as local government sectors of Nujiang.

Marked by its magnificent grand canal and rapid torrents, the Nujiang River has been widely considered a natural spectacle of Yunnan and one of the most protected areas across China.

Tomislav Crnkovic, chairman of the Wildwater Canoeing Committee, said it is a great opportunity to show Yunnan’s great potential in developing this exciting sport.

The World Cup comprises canoe and kayak races of both short and long distances, and it will last until December 15. 

Reporting by Li Shouhua; trans-editing by Wang Jingzhong