Laurens Pannecoucke in top five short distance in Muse
Laurens Pannecoucke finished fifth in the short distance K1 on Saturday during the first round of the World Cup canoe-kayak marathon in Muse, Bulgaria.
The 34-year-old Pannecoucke completed the 3.4 km in 15:01.42. He was therefore more than 1 minute and 21 seconds slower than the Danish winner Mads Pedersen (13:39.64). The two-time marathon world champion (2019 and 2021) and reigning vice world champion in the short distance beat Portuguese Jose Ramalho and South African Matthew Fenn.
Pannecoucke, former Olympian (London 2012), ended his career in classic kayaking in 2016. He now focuses on long distances. He will participate in the marathon race on Sunday.