European Canoe Association

Hungary and Czechia shine on day two of the 2023 ECA Canoe Marathon European Championships

14.7.2023

The second competition day of the 2023 ECA Canoe Marathon European Championships in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, brought six medal events. Czechia and Hungary won two gold medals each, and Spain and Denmark celebrated European Champion titles in the U23 age groups.

Philip Knudsen won the first gold medal for Denmark at the 2023 ECA Canoe Marathon European Championships and retained the gold medal in men's U23 kayak event in Denmark, after Nikolai Thomsen celebrated the 2022 U23 European Champion title in Silkeborg at the previous European Championships.

It was a tough race in demanding conditions with very high temperatures, and the young athletes in men's kayak U23 age group had to show all their skills and power to fight until the end of the race. It was a heart stopping final of the race, as less than a second and a half divided the top three athletes. Philip Knudsen found the most strength in the last metres of the race to claim U23 European Champion title ahead of Hungarian Csanad Sellyei, while bronze medal went to Joaquin Iglesias (ESP).

In women's U23 kayak event, Czech kayaker Katerina Milova took the glory and the European Champion title, after a very strong performance when she crossed the finish line more than ten seconds faster than any other competitor in this event. She concluded the 22,6 kilometres long course with six laps, five portages and one small lap in 1:48:10.15. Silver medal went to Denmark thanks to Pernille Hostrup, while Celia Toledo from Spain took the bronze medal.

22-year-old Alzbeta Veverkova took the first gold medal of the championships for Czechia. She was the fastest in women's U23 canoe final. Her win was not endangered. She had more than a minute advantage in the finish. Annette Wehrmann from Germany won silver medal and bronze medal was won by Anna Gorinsky.

Spanish canoeist Jaime Duro was the fastest in men's U23 canoe event. 23-year-old competitor added the European Champion title to his 2022 U23 World Champion title. It took him 1:35:19.79 to complete the 19 kilometres long course, consisting of five laps, four portages and one small lap. Polish canoeist Eryk Wilga was 42.48 seconds behind to claim the silver medal, and another Spanish representative Gonzalo Moreno picked up bronze medal.

In the first event of the day Zsofia Szerafin defended her Junior European Champion title from the last season. 18-year-old Hungarian paddler showed great form in the morning junior women's kayak race, finishing the challenge on the Sava River 13.74 seconds ahead of British representative Greta Roeser. Hungarian Janka Reisz was third in this event.

Men's junior C2 race was also held on the second competition day. Hungarian duo Milan Gyanyi - Zsombor Dozsa had a confident win in this race. They were almost a minute faster than their biggest rivals from Spain. Namely, silver and bronze medal went to Iberian peninsula with Izan Velasco - Daniel Infantes winning the silver medal and David Olivares - Ulises Colastra (both ESP) picking up bronze.

On Saturday, the 2023 ECA Canoe Marathon European Championships continues with men's junior K1 event, followed by senior women's and men's canoe race, junior women's K2 event, and senior women's and men's K1 events.

RESULTS - day 2

WK1 Junior

1. Zsofia Szerafin HUN

2. Greta Roeser GBR

3. Janka Reisz HUN

MC1 U23

1. Jaime Duro ESP

2. Eryk Wilga POL

3. Gonzalo Moreno ESP

MC2 Junior

1. Milan Gyanyi - Zsombor Dozsa HUN

2. Izan Velasco - Daniel Infantes ESP