International Canoe Federation

Szeged did not disappoint with a day of balmy sunshine and great competition. This, the first day of the second 2010 Canoe Sprint World Cup saw action from the world's best 1000m and 500m paddlers.

In the Men's C1 1000m, there will be two Canadians in tomorrow's final after Thomas Hall and Mark Oldershaw qualified in their semi-finals. Attila Vajda just scraped his way into the final coming 3rd in the second heat, seemingly off form with a sore back.

In the Men's K1 1000m semi-finals, the third race was perhaps the most fierce with three big athletes in the running. Ken Wallace (AUS) won, Anders Gustafsson (SWE) took second place with Tim Brabants (GBR), who is settling back in to the scene after a year off, came  in third. (Welcome back Tim!) Adam van Koerverden (CAN) won his semi-final with ease; nearly 3 seconds faster than second placed Gabor Kucsera (HUN). But perhaps the one to keep an eye on is the newcomer of the season. A young Mr Aleh Yurenia (BLR). He will again be in the Men's K1 1000m final after his silver medal show in Vichy.

In the women's K1 1000m, China's Zhou Yu won the first semi-final with three seconds to clear. In the second semi, Kazakhstan's Nataly Sergeyeva took first place, with Hungary's Alexandra Bara in second. She is having an easier time without Katalin Kovacs in the running.

In the WK1 500m, Josefa Idem looked relaxed as she brought home the first semi-final with South Africa's Bridgitte Hartley following close behind. In the second semi-final, Katalin Kovacs took the top spot in what was a very tight finish. Japan's Shinobu Kitamoto proved that she is a force to be reckoned with finishing just one tenth of a second behind Kovacs. Third was another Australian finalist, Jo Bridgen-Jones. Natasa Janics will be joining her teammate Kovacs in the final as she raked in the lead in Semi-final III. She was followed by Henriette Engel-Hansen just half a second later. She will be pleased with her improved performance after a hard time in Vichy.

In the K2s, the Portuguese women continued the trend taking the first and second spots on the second semi-final. While their male compatriots will be in the Men's K2 after taking the top spot in the first of the Men's semis.

In all a top day of racing and a great teaser of what is to come tomorrow in the first day of the finals. Stay tuned!

For official results click here. For official event website click here.