The men’s K1 class commences on Friday 18th September with reining champion Boris Neveu (FRA) aiming to be the first man to win back-to-back world titles in this class since his former countryman Fabien Lefevre in 2002-2003.
Lefevre has since emigrated to America but has failed to gain citizenship in time to compete in London for an Olympic spot at next year’s Rio Games.
History would suggest that Neveu has a good chance of doubling following victory on the London Olympic course when the World Cup Series visited the venue just 12 months ago.
The results log also show that 29-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers amongst the world elite only missing the final on one occasion since 2014; however, that was at the last event in Pau.
Neveu also claimed silver in this event in 2009 and needs one more podium finish to join Siegbert Horn (GDR), Eberhard Gläser (GDR) and Scott Shipley (USA) in third place on the all-time medal list.
Only Lefevre (4) and Richard Fox (GBR, 6) have collected more medals in men's K1 at the world championships.
Daniele Molmenti (ITA) is one of only three athletes who have won gold in men's K1 at both the Olympic Games and the world championships. Molmenti claimed the world title in this event in 2010, before adding Olympic gold at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in 2012.
Jiri Prskavec (CZE), 2013 and 2014 European champion, is hoping to become the second world champion from Czech Republic (incl. Czechoslovakia) in men's K1 after Vavrinec Hradilek (CZE), who claimed gold in this event in 2013.
Hradilek will also be one of the favourites after returning from an injury plagued season he has shown glimpses of his best form throughout his 2015 campaign.
The powerful Czech also won the Olympic silver on this course and can become the second athlete to complete the medal set in this event after Lefevre. Hradilek has already claimed gold (2013) and silver (2010).
Hannes Aigner (GER), who claimed bronze in this event at the London 2012 Olympic Games, is aiming to become the first world champion from Germany in men's K1 since Fabian Dörfler (GER) in 2005.
Fresh from his victory in the World Cup Series, Peter Kauzer (SLO) is also one to watch and could become a triple World Champion should he be succeessful in London. However, last season he dislocated his sholder on ths same course and will undoubtably be nervous on his return.
The action gets underway a 10:30 Friday 18th September.
