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The main objective of the European Canoe Association when deciding to introduce the ECA Open Slalom Cup was to offer athletes who failed to qualify for national teams to compete at European and World Championships and in the World Cup series another race series on a high level. This did not, however, mean that top level athletes, European, World and Olympic champions, did not have an opportunity to compete at these races and check their form. This year the series was tested on six venues, and many of top level paddlers competed at least at one race in the series.

 

In women’s kayak event legendary Slovak slalomist Elena Kaliska, two-times Olympic Champion, four-times European Champion and 2005 World Champion, finished the race series with a total of 126 points to win this year’s ECA trophy. Her compatriot Eliška Mintalova finished second in the overall standings, and Italian representative Maria Clara Giai Pron was third in the overall standings.

 

Czech kayaker Ondrej Tunka, 2017 World Champion, is the 2019 Overall winner in men’s kayak event. He competed in Markkleeberg, Prague and Bratislava to win 156 points. Slovenian kayaker Vid Kuder Marušič was second with a total of 136 points, and Slovak paddler Andrej Malek finished the race series in third place with a total of 133 points.

 

Jure Lenarčič from Slovenia won in men’s canoe overall standings after good performances in Tacen, Merano, Prague and Bratislava. He finished the series with a total of 170 points. 2016 Olympic medallist Matej Benuš from Slovakia finished second in the overall standings with a total of 131points, while German paddler Lennard Tuchscherer won third place with a total of 121 points.

 

It was a complete celebration for Slovakia in women’s canoe event. All top three positions were occupied by their paddlers. Monika Škachova won with a total of 176 points, Emanuela Luknarova got 167 points to finish the series in second place, while Simona Macekova won third place with 149 points.