2026 Deutsche Meisterschaft

In the organizer's words:

From October 2 to 4, 2026, the Markkleeberg Canoe Park will be the venue for the German Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross Championships. Germany's best athletes will compete for the national titles on one of the most modern whitewater facilities in Europe - and ensure a weekend full of excitement, precision and action.

Friday, October 2 (from approx. 12:00 noon):
The event kicks off with the qualifying heats in the classic canoe slalom. This is where the athletes lay the foundations for the weekend and fight for a place in the next rounds. The start of the kayak cross will provide additional excitement in the late afternoon from around 16:45: in the individual time trials, the athletes will start from a ramp around four meters high. The times achieved will determine the starting positions for the final rounds on Sunday - where the knockout system will determine who makes it to the final and who wins.

Saturday, October 3:
In the morning, the focus will be on the team competitions - a special highlight: three athletes from a team ride the course at the same time, have to coordinate their lines perfectly and get through the gates without making any mistakes in order to finish together in a fast time.

The semi-finals and finals in the men's and women's single canoe (C1) in the age groups performance class, U18 and U16 will follow in the afternoon. The best eight from the heats will compete for the medals and the German Championship title from around 17:00.

Sunday, October 4:
On the final day, the kayak disciplines (K1) take center stage. The men's and women's semi-finals and finals will be held in the performance class, U18 and U16 age groups - this is where the final national titles will be decided.

This will be followed by the spectacular kayak cross finals: Four athletes plunge into the canal at the same time from the approximately four-meter-high ramp and battle it out in a direct duel to progress. With full physical exertion - including pushing, shoving and tactical maneuvering - the knockout system decides who will make it through to the final and come out on top in the end.

Top national stars such as Olympic champion and multiple world champion Ricarda Funk will be taking part. From a Leipzig perspective, the focus will be on Nele Bayn, Lennard Tuchscherer, Christin Heidenreich, Nils Zimmermann, Neele Krech and two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Andrea Herzog, among others.

Look forward to top-class canoeing, thrilling decisions and emotional moments in the battle for the German Championship - live and up close on the water.

Admission is free of charge.

Further information can be found at: www.slalomevents.de