Nothing could separate France’s Laura Fontaine and Czechia’s Anna Retkova as they launched their bids for sprint titles at the International Canoe Federation Wildwater Canoeing World Championships in Banja Luka Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sprint heats took place today as paddlers battled to secure their places in Saturday's showdown.
The women’s canoe sprint title could be decided by the smallest of margins.
Click here for the start lists and live results from Banja Luka
Fontaine, who is searching for a fourth successive women’s C1 crown, crossed the finish line in 1:00.63 - exactly the same time as Retkova.
Italy’s Cecilia Panato will add to the star-studded final as she qualified alongside sister, Alice Panato.
It was delight for the Brazilians Daniela Sofia and Milena Sofia as the development camp athletes secured a lucrative spot to battle for a podium place in heat two.
Reigning world champion Matej Vanek of Czechia laid down the marker with the quickest qualifying time of 55.84 in the men’s C1.
France’s canoe double classic champions Nicolas Sauteur and Charles Ferrion also secured qualification to the final.
Compatriot Theo Viens missed out on automatic qualification in the first heat by one place but secured a spot through the second heat.
Czechia’s Kristina Novosadova confirmed her spot in the women’s kayak final, as she finished in 56.44.
Retkova reached her second final with the fourth fastest qualifying time.
Cecilia Panato is set to race in her fourth final of the competition, with hopes of going four from four.
Compatriot Maya Bagnato will join Panato on the start line, as the final boats stiff competition.
It was double delight for France as Luca Barone and Augustin Reboul powered to the men’s K1 final.
Anze Urankar secured the fifth automatic qualification spot, with just 0.2 seconds keeping him from a re-run.
The Slovenian defending champion prepares to capture another gold as he secured qualification to the final.
Swiss duo Hannah Mueller and Mona Clavadetschi topped the women’s C2 in 1:07.70 as Panato’s glorious run continued, securing qualification to the final alongside sister, Alice Panato.
French, German and Great British duos are set to join them on the start line.
Sauteur and Viens topped the qualification chart in the men’s C2, hoping to replicate their classic team triumph that saw them collect gold.
Manoel Roussin and Tanguy Roussin are set to join them in the final, after finishing a close second, just 0.52 seconds off qualification victory.
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