Czech Republic opened the successful day in junior individual finals, where their representatives won three European Champion titles out of five possible ones. Matej Vanek was crowned junior European Champion in men's canoe final, where Martin Gale from Slovenia finished second and Ondrej Vesely (CZE) third.
Vanek joined forces in C2 together with Karel Rasner and they too produced the best final run to pick up gold medal. Alva and Matous Beier from Czech Republic were second in men's C2 junior event, while bronze medal went to French crew Dimitri Tostain - Jerome Payen.
Anna Retkova was the best in women's C1 junior final, where all the medals went to Czech Republic. Jana Strlikova was second and Simona Bundova third.
Retkova won medal in kayak as well, but was second, after crossing the finish line 0.69 seconds behind Eve Vitali-Guilbert from France. Maya Bagnato from Italy was third.
Tjas Til Kupsch, who was third last year at junior European Championships in classic race, this time reached the highest podium position in sprint. Slovenian kayaker was 0.44 seconds faster than Aaron Schmitter from Switzerland and Matyas Novak from Czech Republic was third.
In the U23 age group France won majority of the gold medals. It started with Tara Ince in women's U23 kayak final, where she crossed the finish line 0.35 seconds faster than Ana Steblaj from Slovenia. Christina Massini from Germany was third in this final.
Charles Ferrion, France, defended his U23 canoe European Champion title from Solkan 2021. Athlete who was also a part of senior French teams winning medals at World and European Championships was almost a second faster than Jonah Muller from Switzerland. Matteo Zanni from France was third.
In men's U23 kayak final Augustin Reboul from France won the title ahead of Mikulas Zapletal from Czech Republic and German Marcel Blum, who was third in this event.
The three favourites in women's U23 canoe final reached the podium position. It was Marie Nemcova (CZE) that produced the fastest time, her teammate Tereza Kneblova was second and Italian Cecilia Panato third.
Cecilia Panato also paddled in women's C2 U23 final together with her sister Alice. Daughters of legendary wildwater canoeist Vladi Panato were unbeatable and won the title ahead of French crew Laura Fontaine - Margot Beziat and Swiss duo Hannah Muller - Mona Clavadetscher.
In men's C2 final Manoel and Tanguy Roussin from France crossed the finish line three seconds ahead of their teammates Combre - Monjanel, and Swiss representatives Muller - Bretscher were third.
In afternoon's team events France won four European Champion titles, Czech Republic celebrated in three finals and Slovenia in one.
Nina Lloret Linares, Eve Vitali - Guibert qand Noa Pradalier (FRA) were the best in women's junior K1 team event, where Germany and Czech Republic also won medals.
Men's C1 U23 team event was won by French athletes Charles Ferrion, Matteo Zanni and Mathis Perrau, who were a second faster than Czech team and Slovenia was third.
Augustin Reboul, Clement Monjanel and Louis Foregeard were the best in men's K1 U23 team event. Silver medal went to Switzerland and bronze to Czech Republic.
France was also the best in men's C2 U23 team event, where Czech Republic and Switzerland also won medals.
After the domination in individual women's C1 event, Czech trio - Marie Nemcova, Tereza Kneblova and Anna Retkova, easily won on team event, finishing two seconds ahead of French team, while Spain picked up bronze medal.
Nemcova and Kneblova, togehter with Klara Vankova won in women's K1 U23 team race, ahead of teams from Germany and Slovenia.
Matous Beier, Matej Vanek and Ondrej Vesely (CZE) were the winners of men's U23 C1 team event, where Italy was second and Slovakia third.
The only non-French or non-Czech win of the team wildwater sprint races went to Slovenia thanks to Tjas Til Kupsch, Klemen Breznik and Jon Senk who were crowned junior kayak team European Champions. Italy was second and Switzerland third.
On Saturday, the 2022 ECA Junior and U23 Wildwater Canoeing European Championships continues with individual classic races.
RESULTS: http://www.timing-mojstrana.com/25-28-8-2022-banja-luka-eca-junior-u23-wildwater-canoeing-european-championships/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kajakvrbasmtel
Photo: Lara Gale
26.8.2022
