Sean Rice maintained South African domination of the men's event at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Portugal ©ICF

Kenny Rice continued South Africa’s dominance of the men’s competition at the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Ocean Racing World Championships at Viana do Castelo in Portugal. 

Rice’s victory was the third consecutive triumph in this competition for his country, and the fourth in the six editions held since 2013.

Cory Hill of Australia bucked the trend in 2015 and 2017.

Meanwhile Jemma Smith won Australia’s first women’s senior title.

Rice, who finished second behind elder brother Sean as he won the second of his world titles in 2019, managed to sprint clear of team-mate Hank McGregor in the calm conditions.

Jemma Smith won Australia's first senior women's title at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Portugal ©ICF
Jemma Smith won Australia's first senior women's title at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Portugal ©ICF

McGregor won his second silver medal, while Australia’s Mackenzie Hynard took his first senior World Championships medal in finishing third.

The women’s race quickly developed into a contest between Australia’s Smith, the under-23 world champion from 2019, and New Zealand’s 2019 senior world champion, Danielle McKenzie.

Smith took control in the second half of the race, McKenzie finished second and defending champion Michelle Burn took bronze.

It was a strong day on the water for South Africa, who also picked up three of the four under-age titles on offer.

Ulvard Hart won the men’s under-23 race, Joshua Smith took the men’s junior title, and Saskia Hockly was crowned women’s junior champion.

Ana Swetish of the United States won the women’s under-23 race.