The final race in the 2023 ECA Open Canoe Slalom European Cup series is taking place this weekend in Bratislava, Slovakia. On Saturday, the heats were held and Slovak paddlers dominated in majority of the events.
Three-time European Champion Alexander Slafkovsky (SVK) produced the best run in men’s canoe heats of the ECA Open Canoe Slalom European Cup which is held as a part of the ICF World Ranking race. Slafkovsky was 0.89 seconds faster than Paolo Ceccon from Italy, while Marko Mirgorodsky (SVK) finished the first stage of the race in third position.
The 2022 European Champion Eliška Mintalova (SVK) won in women’s kayak heats, crossing the finish line four seconds ahead of Slovenian Eva Terčelj, the 2019 World Champion. Mintalova had a super fast run. She was four seconds faster than all the rivals despite two touches and four penalty seconds added to her time. Austrian Viktoria Wolffhardt was third.
Wolffhardt paddled even better in women’s canoe, where she had the best run of the day, to win in the heats and easily secure her spot in Sunday’s semifinal. Sona Stanovska (SVK) was faster on the course, but four penalty seconds pushed her to second position, and Ivana Chlebova (SVK) was third in the C1 heats.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic medallist Jakub Grigar (SVK) was the fastest in men’s kayak heats. French kayaker Malo Quemeneur finished second and Australian Sebastian Montalto was third on the first competition day on Danube River.
Results: https://siwidata.com/canoe123/live?SessionKey=svkcanoe.2023080500
5.8.2023
