Merano canoeists push back onto the big stage

The 2025 canoe slalom season begins for eight athletes from SC Meran/Raika-Torggler with the qualifying races. The first two qualifying races will take place this weekend (April 8 and 5) in the artificial canal in Solkan, Slovenia. For five slalom canoeists from SC Meran, the goal is to qualify for the World and European Championships in the U6 and U5 categories in canoe slalom. No slalom canoeist from SC Meran has achieved this in three years.

03 April 2025

From: pm

The following 5 athletes from SC Meran/Raika-Torggler have the best chances of paddling out a ticket for a major canoe slalom event this season: Tamara Drescher (21 years old, U23), Marian Drescher (16, U18), Annika Zoe Senoner (17, U18), Sara Furlan (16, U18) in the single kayak and Lars Aaron Senoner (15, U18) in the single canoe.

The U18 and U23 World Championships will take place on July 12 and 13 in Foix, France; the European Championships will follow on August 2 and 3 in Solkan. Further qualifying races will take place in Tacen, Slovenia, on April 26 and 27, in Merano, Italy, on May 25 and 26, and in Valstagna, Italy, on June 1 and 2.

Tamara Drescher is particularly ambitious, desperate to secure a spot in the U23 World and U23 European Championships in the single kayak. "My big goal is to qualify for the U23 national team," she explains. She will also compete in Tacen and Ivrea for a spot on the senior team, allowing her to compete in World Cups as well as the European and World Championships.

SCM coach Stefan Senoner sees excellent chances for Marian Drescher in particular to qualify in the U18 category. His daughter Annika Zoe Senoner, his son Lars Aaron Senoner, and Sara Furlan are also hoping for success in the qualifying rounds.

Of the four scheduled races, the best two will be counted. Only the first run counts, with mandatory times within the percentage gap to the best junior single kayaker. Christian Stocker, Eva Haller, and Alice Gravino from SC Meran/Raika-Torggler will also compete in Solkan in the single kayaker.