La Seu d’Urgell, Andorra — Mònica Doria closed out the Canoe Slalom World Cup Finals on her home canal with another medal around her neck. The Andorran paddler took bronze in the K1 Kayak Cross event on September 14, 2026, at the Parc Olímpic del Segre, capping a golden weekend that delivered two podiums in three days and the eighth World Cup medal of her career.
A Weekend to Remember on Home Water
Racing in front of a home crowd she knows better than any other venue on the circuit, Doria opened the World Cup Finals with a bronze in the classic K1 slalom event on Friday, September 11, finishing 2.67 seconds behind Australia’s Jessica Fox after posting the fastest semifinal time of the day. It was already her seventh World Cup podium.
She followed it up on Saturday with a heartbreaking near-miss in canoe (C1), finishing fourth — just 0.24 seconds off the podium and 1.03 seconds behind Brazil’s Ana Sátila — a result she later described as one of the best of her career despite falling short of a medal.
Sunday brought redemption. In the Kayak Cross discipline, Doria was forced into the repechage after finishing third in her opening heat behind Germany’s Andrea Herzog and Spain’s Miren Lazkano. She responded by winning four consecutive knockout races, storming through the elimination rounds to secure her second bronze of the weekend and close out the Finals on the podium.
“It’s my second bronze of the weekend at home, and the eighth medal of my World Cup career,” Doria said, reflecting on a result that made her the only Pyrenean paddler to reach the podium during the Finals in La Seu d’Urgell.
Her Best Season Yet
The Kayak Cross bronze is the latest highlight of what Doria has openly called the strongest season of her career. Speaking at Creand’s headquarters alongside her coach, Cristian Tobio, the Andorran reviewed a campaign built on three major medals: a canoe silver at the World Championships in Oklahoma City, and the two bronzes earned on home water in La Seu d’Urgell.
Tobio noted that Doria’s points tally from Oklahoma, Paris and La Seu d’Urgell would currently place her among the direct qualifiers under the new format for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — while cautioning that six further scoring events next season still stand between her and a confirmed spot.
What’s Next: Defending Her European Crown
Doria now turns her attention to Ivrea, Italy, where she will defend her European canoe title from September 24 to 26, 2026. With her mental consistency and season-long form both trending upward, the Andorran heads into the continental championship as one of the athletes to watch.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Athlete: Mònica Doria (Andorra, Cadí Canoë-Kayak club)
- Latest result: Bronze, K1 Kayak Cross, World Cup Finals, La Seu d’Urgell — September 14, 2026
- Season medal tally: 3 (World Championships silver + two World Cup bronzes)
- Career World Cup podiums: 8
- Next event: European Championships, Ivrea, Italy — September 24–26, 2026
- Long-term goal: Qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Sources:
- Ràdio Valira — “Segon podi per Mònica Dòria a la Copa del Món de la Seu” (Sept 14, 2026) — https://radiovalira.ad/2026/09/14/monica-doria-tanca-la-copa-del-mon-de-la-seu-amb-un-segon-podi-en-caiac-cross/
- Viure als Pirineus — “Mònica Doria, bronze en K1 a les Finals de la Copa del Món d’eslàlom de la Seu d’Urgell” (Sept 11, 2026) — https://www.viurealspirineus.cat/articulo/esports/monica-doria-k1-finals-copa-mon-deslalom/20260911220529068781.html
- Altaveu — “Doria torna a pujar al podi a casa amb un bronze en caiac cros” (Sept 13, 2026) — https://www.altaveu.com/actualitat/esport/doria-torna-pujar-podi-casa-bronze-en-caiac-cros_79419_102.html
- Altaveu — “Doria frega el doblet a la Seu amb un quart lloc en canoa” (Sept 12, 2026) — https://www.altaveu.com/actualitat/esport/doria-frega-doblet-seu-quart-lloc-en-canoa_79404_102.html
- Alto — “Andorran Canoeist Mònica Dòria Calls Season Best Yet Ahead of European Title Defense” (Sept 15, 2026) — https://www.alto.ad/sports/2026/09/monica-doria-best-season-world-medals-european-c
- El Nacional — “Mònica Dòria gana el bronce… en las finales del mundo de Kayak en la Seu d’Urgell” (Sept 11, 2026) — https://www.elnacional.cat/es/deportes/monica-doria-gana-bronce-ningun-catalan-hace-podio-finales-mundo-kayak-seu-urgell_1694140_102.html
