Gabriela Satkova and Jiri Prskavec will lead the Czech team as they aim to kickstart their seasons on home waters at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague.
The Troja course brings back great memories for Satkova and Prskavec having both won gold in front of a passionate home crowd last year.
This year, the duo arrive looking to return to the top of the podium and boost their quests for overall titles in the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series.
Click here for startlists and live results from Prague
Satkova’s victory in Prague in 2024 remains the last time Australia’s Jessica Fox was beaten in a canoe at a World Cup.
At the previous World Cup in Pau, France, Satkova secured silver behind Fox and will be bidding to go one better this weekend.
Prskavec captured the European title in the men’s kayak in May but has yet to get his hands on a World Cup medal this year.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist and multiple world champion is set for a busy schedule as he competes in both canoe and kayak.
The World Cup will begin on Friday with short slalom which is featuring as a demonstration event for the first time.
The inclusion of short slalom means it will be an action-packed programme in the Czech capital, with men’s and women’s C1 and K1 heats and finals all taking place on a thrilling Saturday.
For those doubling up, it is set to be an intense few days of competition.
Fox will be targeting success on all fronts as she also competes in the women’s kayak cross individual and head-to-head on Sunday.
The three-time Olympic champion has been in sensational form in C1, winning in both La Seu and Pau.
She will be hoping to continue that hot streak but will face challenges from the likes of Czech sisters Gabriela Satkova and Martina Satkova and Olympic silver medallist Elena Lilik of Germany.
The return of Lilik and two-time Olympic medallist Hannes Aigner is a further boost for Germany who enjoyed a successful World Cup in Pau last time out, with Ricarda Funk and Noah Hegge capturing the K1 titles.
Funk will be looking to maintain her place at the top of the women’s overall K1 standings following her win in Pau.
The French team also arrives in confident mood with Anatole Delassus and Titouan Castryck holding the top two spots in the men’s overall K1 rankings and Camille Prigent leading the way in the women’s kayak cross individual.
Delassus will be hoping it is third time lucky after finishing second in both La Seu and Pau as he sets his sights on K1 glory.
Great Britain’s team have been bolstered by the return of Rio 2016 Olympic champion Joseph Clarke who is back after the birth of his second child.
Clarke will be competing in kayak cross in Prague as he begins his bid to retain the overall crown.
Around 200 athletes from 40 nations will compete at the World Cup from Friday to Sunday.
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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