Canoe Slalom

Road to London adds extra excitement to Canoe Slalom World Championships

Canoe Slalom fans and insiders are preparing for what promises to be a super-charged atmosphere at the upcoming 2011 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia from 6 – 11 September 2011. Fan enthusiasm is expected to be off the Richter-scale as Slovakia, long known as a Canoe Slalom powerhouse, is set to host these Championships which will also serve as a qualifier for the London 2012 Olympic Games. More than 400 athletes from 50 countries will take to the Water Sports Centre Cunovo, arguably one of the finest slalom course and venue in the world; as such it will be a star-studded event with all the top names in Canoe Slalom registered to compete.

ICF 2nd Vice President said, “Slovakia not only has the greatest Olympians in our sport, it has some of the most enthusiastic fans - so with World titles and Olympic berths up for grabs, we can expect an electric atmosphere and the best that slalom has to offer.” Among the most intriguing matchups that will play out on the Cunova course next week is that of longtime C1 rivals and multiple Olympic and world title-holders Tony Estanguet (FRA) and hometown hero Michal Martikan (SVK). Martikan, with four Olympic medals, including two Gold medals, will be tough to beat on such familiar waters as the Cunovo channel, an offshoot of the River Danube.

This year’s World Championships will be Estanguet and Martikan’s third significant appearance together this season, after the Markkleeburg World Cup and the Olympic Test event last month. So far, Martikan has the upper hand having won both events, but don’t write off Estanguet the winner of the last two world championships.

Other strongmen in this class include Martiken’s Slovakian teammates Alex Slafkosky and Matej Benus, not to mention the two German’s Nico Bettge and Jan Benzien ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively in the ICF Ranking, as well as Olympic Silver medalist David Florence (GBR).

In Men’s K1, look out for Vavrinec Hradlik (CZE), who finished this season’s World Cup series in second place, to be among the top spoilers in the epic rivalry between Peter Kauzer (SLO) and Daniele Molmenti (ITA).  Kauzer who has won three of hist last four races has been preparing for the upcoming World Championships at home in Hrastnik, Tacen, and today said at a press conference, ”There is no pressure before the World Championships; it’s a race as are all the others. At every race you have a start, finish and gates in between. You have to fight at every race, every course. I love to paddle in Bratislava, so I hope I enjoy my runs, because I didn’t enjoy last year 's World Championships. I hope I’ll give myself a nice present for my birthday.”

Slalom watchers caution that any of a handful of other heavyweights could also take a place on the podium at the end of this week including Olympic champion Alexander Grimm (GER) or his teammate from Augsburg Hannes Aigner.

Other top Slovakian athletes are expected to get an extra boost from hometown fans who are expected to have a vocal presence in the 8,000 seat grandstands. Headliners include the seemingly invincible three-time Olympic C2 Champions, twin brothers Pavol and Peter Hochschorner, and fellow countrymen, the cousins Peter and Ladislav Skantar, hoping to set the foundation for what they hope will be their first Olympic medals next year.

The French also have high expectations for a C2 medal following a handful of World Cup podiums from three different crews as well a medal from last year’s World Champion Fabien Lefevre and Denis Gargaud who also double their chances for a podium place in their respective individual K1 and C1 events.

Not to be considered lightweights in the race for a medal are the in-form Slovenian pair, Saso Tlajat and Luka Bozic, winners of the Prague World Cup earlier this month.

Expect thunderous cheers, horns and drumbeats for the Slovakian women as Jana Dukatova and Dana Mann, as well as Austria’s Corinna Kuhnle, who lives just across the border, continue their exciting battle for the top spots in the Women’s K1 category. “It will be a big day for Slovakia to host the World Championships for the first time,” said Dukatova. “We can already feel it from the ad campaigns and media interest here in the country.” All three will have to take on the formidable Elena Kaliska, the two time Olympic champion, who seems to be coming good again at just the right time with a win at the recent Prague World Cup and a podium finish at the London test event. Watch out, also for the Spanish fire Maialen Chourraut and a strong showing from the Germans who will have three big shots at the podium with Melanie Pfeiffer, Claudia Baer and 2009 world champion Jasmin Shornberg.

This year marks the increased growth in participation and performance of the Women’s C1 category - expect an extra burst of sizzle when these women take to the course. Australia looks promising to medal with Rosalyn Lawrence the overall World Cup winner as well as youngster Jessica Fox who has two wins from two World Cups this year and has only just returned to the Canoe Slalom circuit in Bratislava after a month back home studying and completing exams. “I'm really enjoying catching up on training here, the course is great, the weather's been fantastic and I'm looking forward to the start of worlds in 2 weeks! Leanne Guinea the other favourite will start with a Silver medal from last year’s World Championships to defend or improve upon.

The hometown favorite will be Katarina Macova with a threat from the Chinese pair, Teng and Cen, not to mention the fast improving Katerina Hoskova of the Czech Republic and Caroline Loir of France.