Overview

• The replacement, custom-built by her father, was given to the German team’s press spokeswoman in Dresden and checked as special baggage bound for Australia.
• The Frankfurt–Singapore flight returned to Frankfurt after reported aircraft damage over Baku, and the paddle vanished during subsequent rebooking.
• Singapore Airlines declined to take a loss report because Lufthansa operated the first leg, and the team could not reach Lufthansa in time before re-check-in.
• Funk continues training at Penrith with a spare paddle on site and hopes the custom one arrives before her first start on 1 October in the team event.
• The world championships run 29 September to 4 October in Penrith, and Funk highlights the paddle’s precise angles and blade feel as crucial to her performance.