The course in Ljubljana – Tacen, Slovenia, hosts the second race of the year in the ECA European Open Canoe Slalom Cup race series. Slovenian and Italian athletes took the top positions in Saturday’s heats, with reigning European Champion Peter Kauzer producing the best time in men’s K1, 2015 European Champion Benjamin Savšek winning in men’s C1 heats (both SLO), Stefanie Horn (ITA) was the best in women’s kayak heats and Nina Bizjak (SLO) in women’s canoe heats.
The race on the venue which hosted the 2015 and 2017 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships in Ljubljana – Tacen is very important for Slovenian paddlers who have selection races for the national team, as well as for Italian slalomists who are also fighting for the spots in their team in Slovenia.
There were no big surprises on the opening day of the race. Benjamin Savšek (SLO), 2015 European Champion and 2017 World Champion, produced the fastest time in men’s C1 heats. He was more than four seconds faster than Luka Božič (SLO) who was second. Roberto Colazingari finished the heats in third place.
Peter Kauzer (SLO), Olympic vice champion and multiple European and World Championships medallist, was the best in men’s K1 heats, however young Slovenian paddler Niko Testen came very close, being only half a second behind Kauzer in the heats. Žan Jakše (all SLO) was third in the heats.
Italian kayaker Stefanie Horn produced the best run in women’s K1. She was more than five seconds faster than two Slovenian paddlers Urša Kragelj and Eva Terčelj who were second and third respectively.
Nina Bizjak (SLO) showed the best run of the day in women’s C1. Elena Micozzi (ITA) and Chiara Sabattini (ITA) were second and third in the heats.
On Sunday the competition will conclude with semifinal and final runs.
Livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/user/kajakzveza
Liveresults: http://siwihome.azurewebsites.net/canoe123/live?SessionKey=slocanoe.ICFECATacen2019
