FRANCISSWIM - WATER SPORTS: Canoe Slalom - Savšek defends his double European title, gold for Kudejova in women's kayak

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Canoe Slalom - Savšek defends his double European title, gold for Kudejova in women's kayak

The 2020 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, concluded with semifinal, final and teams races in women’s kayak and men’s canoe events. Czech Katerina Kudejova and Benjamin Savšek from Slovenia were heroes of the day, winning two gold medals – both in individual and team events.

Slovenian canoeist Benjamin Savšek wrote history today defending two gold medals from last year’s European Championships in Pau. Firstly the 33-year-old from Ljubljana produced a superb final run in individual men’s canoe event. He was almost four seconds faster than anyone else. Lukaš Rohan and Vaclav Chaloupka picked up silver and bronze medal respectively for the host country.

For an excellent finish of the Championships Savšek also managed to defend the team European Champion title from last year. Like in the past season he joined forces with Luka Božič, who was fourth today in individual event, and Jure Lenarčič, who won the spot in the national team this year ahead of Anže Berčič, last year’s golden team member.

In the team events Ireland won historic silver medal in men’s canoe, where Poland picked up bronze medal.

Savšek was thrilled with his success, “I am really happy to keep the European Champion title from last year. It was an amazing run. I was feeling very good but it was really hard because the course was really hard. I just focused on my run and I did an amazing run. So I am really happy.”

Katerina Kudejova, one of many Czech hopes for the medal, was in the spotlight after women’s kayak final. She, like Savšek, won two gold medals on the last day of the 2020 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships. She was 1.90 seconds faster than Camille Prigent from France and 2.72 second faster than another Czech Amelie Hilgertova, last year’s European Champion.

“It awesome. I thought a little bit about the medal, but European Champion – it’s awesome. I am happy. I was little nervous before, but it wasn’t bad. I paddled quite well, without problems. I only had problems before the first gate,” said Kudejova.

Kudejova, Veronika Vojtova and Antonie Galuškova were the fastest in women’s kayak team event. One second divided them and second placed team of France, while Austria finished third.

There is one more canoe slalom European Championships scheduled in two weeks – Krakow will host the 2020 ECA Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom European Championships between 1st and 4th October 2020.

The 2021 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships will be held in Ivrea, Italy.

Liveresults: https://siwidata.com/canoelive/-/live/eca/1374