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Maxence Barouh (FRA) who was crowned European Champion in classic event of the European Championships in North Macedonia made a good step towards double European Champion title. He was the fastest in men's kayak heats, finishing the course 0.03 seconds ahead of his teammate Luca Barone. Third results of the heats was produced by Anže Urankar (SLO), and reigning World Champion Nejc Žnidarčič (SLO) was fourth. Saturday's final is expected to be heart stopping with French and Slovenian paddlers fighting for the top spots. In 2017, when Skopje last hosted the senior Wildwater Canoeing European Championships, Slovenian kayakers took all three medals with Vid Debeljak winning the gold, Žnidarčič silver and Urankar bronze.

 

Slovenian Ana Šteblaj was the best in women's kayak heats. Young paddler from Ljubljana finished fourth at the last senior European Championships in Sabero, and now wishes to take a step forward in Skopje. She was 0.32 seconds faster than Lisa Koestle from Germany, while Czech kayaker Marie Nemcova set the third fastest time of the day.

 

Blaž Cof, another Slovenian who has high goals for Saturday's sprint final, won in men's canoe heats. Former World Champion in this discipline returned to high level competitions after a couple of years. Cof outsprinted two French canoeists Charles Ferrion and Nicolas Sauteur who were second and third respectively in the first heats run. The top three athletes were separated by less than half a second.

 

Cecilia Panato, classic European Champion, found the fastest lines in women's canoe heats. Young Italian was 0.40 seconds faster than Marie Nemcova from Czech Republic in second place, while her sister Alice Panato crossed the finish line with the third result of the day.

 

Panato sisters, who are the new classic European Champions, had to settle with second place in women's C2 heats. Margot Beziat and Elsa Gaubert from France were those who had the best time of day in this event. They stopped the clock at 52.59. Kristina Novosadova and Karolina Paloudova (CZE) were third.

 

France's Canadian doubles were the best in men's heats. Pierre Troubady and Hugues Moret set the fastest time of the day. Their compatriots Manoel Roussin and Tnaguy Roussin were 0.68 seconds behind in second place, while Czechs Matouš Beier and Matej Vanek finished third.

 

Saturday brings a rich programme. Athletes will first fight for the European Champion titles in individual sprint final, then will follow masters races and team sprint races.