Slovenia's Benjamin Savsek successfully defended two gold medals on the final day of the 2020 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sunday.
Czech Katerina Kudejova also picked up double gold, matching Savsek's individual and team gold in perfect racing conditions on the famous Prague course.
Savšek wrote history in defending his 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, finishing almost four seconds faster than anyone else.
Lukaš Rohan and Vaclav Chaloupka picked up silver and bronze medals respectively for the host country.
In an excellent finish to the championships Savšek also managed to defend the team European champion title from last year. Savsek joined forces with Luka Božič, who was fourth in the 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.
Ireland won an historic silver medal in men’s team canoe, and Poland picked up the bronze medal.
“I am really happy to keep the European champion title from last year," Savsek said.
" 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 gold, was in the spotlight after the women’s kayak final. 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's awesome. I thought a little bit about the medal, but European champion – it’s awesome," Kudejova said.
"I am happy. I was a little nervous before, but it wasn’t bad. I paddled quite well, without
problems. I only had problems before the first gate.”
Kudejova, Veronika Vojtova and Antonie Galuškova were the fastest in the women’s kayak team
event. One second divided them and second placed team France, while Austria finished
third.
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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.
Nina Jelenc/ECA
