Taking to the water in his kayak at start of the 2023 season, Jiri Prskavec felt he was in the form of his life. He was on fire.
Prskavec secured back-to-back K1 titles in Prague and Ljubljana as he pushed his case to retain the overall crown in the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup Series.
There appeared to be no stopping him in his pursuit of success. But suddenly things changed. Suddenly, the confidence that was once oozing out of him was no longer there and his form dipped.
“At the beginning of season 2023, I was probably in the best shape of my life,” said Prskavec.
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“I kept winning and felt like nothing could go wrong but then one day it’s switched, and I just couldn’t put down a good run.
“Maybe I was overthinking it.”
Two years have passed, but Prskavec still struggles to put a finger on why his feeling on the water was no longer what it once was.
After missing out on the 2023 series crown, Prskavec finished 12th in the K1 standings in 2024 despite victory at the World Cup Final in La Seu.
The Czech paddler’s hopes of winning a second Olympic gold also ended in disappointment as he placed eighth in Paris.
It has led to a period of self-reflection as he looks to find ways to get back into the groove in a kayak.
“When you put the stroke in and everything goes the right way, it’s one of the best feelings you can get and I kind of lost that a year or two ago and now I’m trying to find it again,” said Prskavec.
“I definitely have it in C1 but in K1 it’s going to be a longer wait.
“But I’m still enjoying it and it’s another challenge to do.
“Now I’m going back to the roots, coming back from the bottom and trying to get up.”
After the frustration of last year’s Olympic Games, Prskavec returned to the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium in May for the European Canoe Association Canoe Slalom European Championships.
Prskavec clinched the European title with an impressive display, but he has yet to make an impression in this season’s ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series.
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“It was definitely important for me to once in my life have a medal in France,” said Prskavec.
“But it’s the feeling in the boat that I’m focusing on and on my final run in Paris I felt really good.
“But otherwise, it’s small steps at a time and I hope I will be back on top.”
There is a big smile on Prskavec’s face as he looks ahead to competing on home waters in Prague.
Last year saw Prskavec thrill the packed stands at the Troja course when he captured the C1 title.
Prskavec is now hoping to create more great memories as he targets success in K1 and C1.
“This is my favourite race of the year. It’s at home, I grew up here so I’m looking forward to it,” said the 32-year-old multiple world champion.
“Plus, I had a really good result here last year in the C1. It was not so good in the K1 so I would like to improve in the K1 and hopefully do a good run like I did last year in the C1.
“It looks like lots of people will show up so the atmosphere will be awesome.”
It is set to be an intense couple days of competition for Prskavec with short slalom entering the programme as a demonstration event for the first time.
Prskavec will compete in K1 and C1 in short slalom on Friday and again in classic slalom on Saturday.
“It’s going to be mentally really hard, although I’m used to it from team selections when I usually do four runs per day, so I am ready for that,” said Prskavec.
“When you do a good run, it’s probably harder to focus.
“When you do a bad run, you want to do something, but you know you have got to keep it calm because otherwise you will end up doing a 50 in the third gate.
“For me, I haven’t had two really good results on the international circuit, probably the closest was La Seu last year when I was first in K1 and fifth in C1.
“It’s usually one or the other so hopefully I can break it at some point.
“I’m still trying to find myself in the K1.
“I had a really good Europeans but not so good at the World Cups.
“But I think I’m on a good way to come back. It’s just going to take some longer time.
“I’m just trying not to focus too much on the results and instead focus more on the feeling on the water and that’s definitely improving.”
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