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In the most anticipated final of the 2023 ECA Wildwater Sprint Canoeing European Cup in Slovenia the top three Slovenian paddlers took all three podium positions at ECA European Cup race, which also counted as Slovenian Wildwater Sprint Canoeing National Championships.

 

Anže Urankar, the 2017 Wildwater Sprint Canoeing World Champion, took the win at the ECA Cup and became national champion in men’s kayak after he produced the fastest run of the day in the second run (the best of the two runs counted as the final result).

 

In the first run Nejc Žnidarčič, the six-time Wildwater Sprint Canoeing World Champion, led ahead of Urankar, but had slower time in the second attempt. At the end Urankar won 0.48 seconds ahead of his biggest rival Nejc Žnidarčič, the reigning World Champion. Third place and bronze medal went to Simon Oven, the 2018 World Champion in classic race, for the all Slovenian podium in men’s kayak.

 

The heart stopping final was seen in women’s kayak event, where only 0.01 seconds divided the first two athletes. It was Nika Ozimc who won the European Cup race ahead of Ana Šteblaj, while Živa Jančar took bronze medal for one more all Slovenian podium.

 

In men’s canoe final Blaž Cof (SLO) took the win ahead of Martin Gale (SLO), who was 1.87 seconds behind. Cof, who was the 2018 Wildwater Sprint Canoeing World Champion, returned this year highly motivated ahead of the 2023 ECA Wildwater Canoeing European Championships and the 2023 ICF Wildwater Sprint Canoeing World Championships after he did not compete at a highest level for a couple of seasons.

 

“Some days I get up at four in the morning, go to the gym before work, then work, and after that it's time for paddling session. I was preparing well, a bit more appropriate for my years and with the head, so I didn't exaggerate that I could sustain this pace. I have to be aware that the regeneration is a bit longer than it used to be. With the work I did and especially with experience, a good result can come,” said Cof.

 

Bronze medal of the European Cup race in men’s canoe went to Croatian canoeist Tomislav Hohnjec, who was 3.95 seconds behind Cof.

 

Slovenian duo Martin Gale – Nejc Gradišek took the win in men’s Canadian double final. Croatian crew Janko Presečki – Tomislav Hohnjec was second (+4.02), while Serbians Pavle Zdravković – Zoran Krumov (+9.64) picked up bronze medal.

 

The next major Wildwater Canoeing competition will be the 2023 ECA Wildwater Canoeing European Championships in Skopje (MKD) between 16^th and 20^th May, while the ECA Wildwater Sprint Canoeing European Cup series continues in June with race in Dallenwil (SUI).