News

The first race in the 2020 ECA Wildwater Sprint Canoeing European Cup series that was held in Česke Vrbne attracted competitors from Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Great Britain, Germany, North Macedonia, Netherlands, Slovenia and Switzerland.

 

Majority of the medals were won by Czech representatives who took advantage of home course, however medallists from last year’s European Championships also reached the podium positions.

 

 

Blaž Cof, Slovenian canoeist who was third in last year’s classic event at European Championships, produced the fastest time in the final beating multiple European Championships medallist Ondrej Rolenc from Czech Republic for half second. Vaclav Kristek (CZE) finished third.

 

Martina Satkova (CZE) had a successful day in the office. She won in women’s kayak final ahead of Anežka Paloudova (CZE) and reigning European Championships silver medallist in sprint event Melanie Mathys from Switzerland. In women’s canoe only Marie Nemcova (CZE) produced faster time than Satkova, while Paloudova added bronze medal to silver from kayak final.

 

A little surprise came in men’s kayak race where reigning European and World Wildwater Sprint champion Nejc Žnidarčič from Slovenia finished in second place. It was French kayaker Luca Barone who found the best lines to finish half a second ahead of Žnidarčič. British representative Ben Oakley was third.

 

In C2 event all top three boats were from the strong Czech team. Petr Vesely and Marek Rygel won ahead of Karel Rašner – Matej Vanek and Ondrej Rolenc – Daniel Suchanek.

 

ECA Junior Wildwater Sprint Canoeing European Cup was held simultaneously. Vojtech Matejicek, Matyaš Novak and Jan Šindelar secured a triple win for Czech Republic in men’s kayak final, Christina Massini from Germany, Zunana Dziadkova and Tereza Kneblova (both CZE) were the best in women’s kayak final, Martin Kratochwil, Karel Rašner and Matej Vanek (all CZE) were the best in men’s canoe event, while Tereza Kneblova, Tereza Kratochwilova and Zuzana Dziadkova (all CZE) occupied top three positions in women’s canoe. Top three C2 crews were as follows: Karl Rašner – Matej Vanek, Daniel Šveda – Jiri Smilek and František Salaj – Petr Šmakal.

 

Full results can be found HERE.

 

Overall standings after race 1 of the 2020 ECA Wildwater Sprint Canoeing European Cup are available HERE.