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The defending champion from last year's U23 European Championships in Bratislava Yohann Senechault from France set the fastest time in men's U23 canoe heats on Vistula River and announced he came to Poland to defend his title. French canoeist produced a penalty free run and finished the first stage of competition 3.11 seconds ahead of his teammate Mewen Debliquy, while Kurts Rozentals (GBR) finished third on Friday.

 

In women's canoe U23 heats the top three seeded competitors occupied the top three positions. It was Slovenia's Eva Alina Hocevar, Paris 2024 Olympian, who finished the race with the best result, despite the two penalty seconds she picked on her way to the finish line. She was 0.30 seconds faster than Czech Tereza Kneblova, while Italian and fellow Paris 2024 Olympian Marta Bertoncelli finished the heats in third place (+1.60).

 

Elouan Debliquy (FRA) followed an example of his older teammates and produced the best time of the day in men's junior canoe heats. With a penalty free run he crossed the finish line almost four seconds ahead of Dominik Egyhazy from Slovakia (+3.86), and Martin Cornu (FRA) was third in the first stage of the competition (+3.88).

 

In women's junior canoe heats Czech Valentyna Kocirova set the best time with 114.62, despite the two penalty seconds. Slovenian Naja Pinteric had two touches and four penalty seconds, but this was still enough for second place in the heats, while German paddler Christin Heydenrich finished third on Friday (+6.79).  

 

 

On Saturday, the 2024 ECA Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom European Championships in Krakow continues with men's and women's kayak semifinal and final. Canoe semifinal and final are scheduled for Sunday.