K-1, men, 5000 m

What to remember

In K-1 over 5000 m, the world best time was set by a Norwegian. On May 24, 2009, at a World Cup race in Poznań, Poland, Eirik Verås Larsen finished in 18 min 00.04 s.

The kayaker from Flekkefjord shone over 1000 m: Olympic champion in 2004 and 2012, he also took silver in 2008 over that distance, and bronze in the K-2 1000 m in 2004. That made a complete set of Olympic medals across three Games. His real international breakthrough came with the European K-2 1000 m title he won in 2000 with Nils Olav Fjeldheim.

The International Canoe Federation only recognises these world best times when they come from finals of major events: Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cups or continental championships.