Finn Butcher’s kayak cross silver medal capped the New Zealand team’s final two World Cups of 2026, raced in Paris and La Seu d’Urgell.

At World Cup 4 on the Paris 2024 Olympic course, Finn finished sixth in men’s K1 and 12th in the kayak cross individual time trial. Oliver Puchner also recorded a top-30 result, placing 25th in men’s C1.

A week later at the World Cup Final in La Seu, Finn placed 16th in men’s K1 before racing through the head-to-head kayak cross rounds to claim silver behind Spain’s Manuel Ochoa. It was a brilliant finish to the series and another World Cup podium for New Zealand.

George Snook also progressed from the kayak cross time trial into the heats in La Seu, finishing 37th in just his second kayak cross appearance this season.

Congratulations to Finn on his medal and to George, Oliver and Courtney Williams for their racing across the final two rounds.

Photo:  Damiano Benedetto

Article added: Wednesday 16 September 2026