Overview
- The German Canoe Federation confirmed Apel will take charge of all canoe slalom disciplines from January 2026.
- Outgoing head coach Klaus Pohlen retires at the end of 2025 after his teams collected six Olympic medals in Tokyo and Paris.
- Sport director Jens Kahl highlighted Apel’s hands-on expertise and the anticipated lift to the development of future coaches.
- Apel set priorities that include integrating the rising Kajak‑Cross discipline and building medal performance across U18 to senior levels.
- The 52-year-old, credited with guiding athletes such as Ricarda Funk, Elena Lilik and Hannes Aigner, has begun weekly online coordination with U18 and U23 coaches Michael Trummer and Lena Stöcklin.