Germans Sideris Tasiadis and Ricarda Funk are both well placed after the opening day of the third ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Augsburg, at the venue where the sport made its Olympic debut in 1972.
Tasiadis bounced back to form to qualify fastest in the men’s C1 ahead of Slovakian veteran, Michal Martikan, with Poland’s Grzegorz Hedwig third.
Tasiadis won gold at the opening World Cup in Slovakia, but failed to make last week’s final. Meanwhile Great Britain’s David Florence, the World Cup winner in Krakow last weekend, had to rely on a second run to qualify for tomorrow’s C1 semi-final.
Czech Katerina Kudejova showed some of her best form for several seasons to qualify fastest in the women’s K1, with Funk, last year’s overall World Cup winner, second quickest.
However Funk also attracted a two-second penalty which robbed her of the quickest time. Italy’s Stefanie Horn, a bronze medallist last weekend, qualified third, while Australia’s Jessica Fox, chasing a third consecutive 2018 K1 World Cup title, finished fourth.
Fox was second quickest in the women’s C1, where she is also chasing a third consecutive gold. Austria’s Nadine Weratschnig was fastest, with Spain’s Nuria Vilarrubla third.
There was a surprise in the men’s K1 qualifying, with Switzerland’s Martin Dougoud the fastest qualifier, ahead of German duo, Fabian Schweikert and Sebastian Schubert.
Olympic gold medallist and current World Cup leader, Joseph Clarke, qualified in 24th position, while reigning world champion, Czech Onjrej Tunka, qualified 26th.
The third ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup continues in Augsburg on Saturday.
