Already the fourth stop of the 2016 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup starts this Friday (2 Sep) on the artificial slalom course in Prague - Troja. The event is held under the auspices of the Mayor of the City of Prague, Adriana Krnáčová.
Among the almost 300 paddlers from 39 countries gathering in Prague, will be six fresh Olympic medallists from Rio de Janeiro. One of the biggest stars to participate, including at a press conference on Thursday, is the Australian Jessica Fox. Rio silver medallist, Matej Beňuš of Slovakia will also come as a guest and competitor.
From the Rio podium, we will also see the Škantár brothers of Slovakia who are the Olympic Champions in C2M as well as bronze pair Klauss/Peche (FRA) and Peter Kauzer (SLO) silver in K1M.
The atmosphere of domestic course has been traditionally praised by London silver medallist Vavrinec Hradilek and the double Olympic champion Stepanka Hilgertova. The title defender from Prague last year who is now the Olympic bronze medallist in K1M, Jiri Prskavec, will not miss the event. Also from the Czech team, will be the tenth K1W in Rio, Katerina Kudějová, fourth placed C1M, Vitezslav Gebas and C2M Jonas Kaspar and Marek Šindler who finished 8th in the final at the Rio Olympics. Not forgetting, C1W paddler Kateřina Hošková who took gold from the World Cup 2011 and silver medallist from the 2015 World Championships.
In addition to the current Olympians, the sports fans will have the chance to watch the medallists from previous Olympics. These include legendary Slovakian athletes; Hochschorner brothers, twice Olympic champion Elena Kaliska, or 2015 European Champion in C1M Alexander Slafkovský and many more.
"The Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of 2016, reinforcing why Prague has been named the European capital of sport. Spectators will have the chance to see our successful representatives in action, including Olympic medallist Jiri Prskavec, who deserves a great atmosphere and welcome after his return from Rio," said Deputy of the Mayor of Prague for transport, sport and leisure, Mr. Peter Dolínek (CSSD).
"We believe that the fans will once again find their way to Prague -Troja and will create a unique atmosphere for competitors. For this environment, we are already well known in the world and not only Czech competitors praise the atmosphere. We have prepared for the visitors a rich accompanying program and lots of fun. I believe that the Czech team will showcase the best performance," said the director of the organizing committee of the World Cup in Prague - Troja, Jiri Rohan.
The pre-program of the World Cup in Prague - Troja, traditionally started by Paddleride on the Vltava River, which was held on Monday, then the program continues by Tuesday's Riverside Cross near Jirasek Bridge. Qualification runs start on Friday (9/2) morning at 9am with C1M.
Program: http://www.slalomtroja.cz/cz/informace-k-zavodu/program-zavodu
