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The wildwater sprint canoeing rules say the fastest five boats from the first heat's run go directly to the final and the most numerous event of all - men's kayak - was dominated by Slovenian kayakers. Among the top five who advanced directly to Saturday's final three paddlers came from Slovenia. Probably the most experienced and decorated athlete in men's kayak event, Nejc Žnidarčič, produced the best run of the day and safely advanced to the final phase of the competition. The reigning European and World champion in this discipline was 0.760 seconds faster than Maxime Richard from Belgium, the 2013 Wildwater Sprint World Champion. Anže Urankar, another Slovenian aiming for the European Champion title, finished third. Felix Bouvet from France and Simon Oven from Slovenia concluded the top five.

 

France's Pauline Freslon was the fastest in Friday's women's kayak heats. She finished the race 0.790 seconds faster than Slovenian representative Ana Šteblaj, while Lise Vinet, another France's hope for the medal, reached the third position.

 

Czech canoeist Ondrej Rolenc was the fastest in men's C1 heats. The newly crowned European Champion in classic race was only 0.340 seconds faster than his teammate Karl Rasner, while Etienne Klatt from France crossed the finish line half a second behind.

 

Marie Nemcova, also from the Czech Republic, was the winner of women's C1 heats. She was exactly two seconds faster than Italian Cecilia Panato, while Elsa Gaubert from France finished the first stage of sprint competition in third place.

 

In men's C2 event two French crews occupied the first two places in the heats. It was Stephane Santamaria - Quentin Dazeur who were first and Pierre Troubady - Hugues Moret finished the race in second place. Czechs Marek Rygel - Petr Vesely were third.

 

Women's C2 event is non-official event of the championships since not enough countries participate in the event. French duo Elsa Gaubert - Helene Raguenes were faster than two British crews Laura Milne - Ellie Seed and Kerry May Christie - Emma Eve Christie.

 

On Saturday, the 2021 ECA Wildwater Canoeing European Championships will conclude with individual sprint finals as well as team sprint races.