LJUBLJANA, May 22, 2024 - The conditions for hosting the 2024 European Canoe Slalom Championships in Ljubljana were very challenging. A devastating flood on the Sava River destroyed the venue, including all the stands along the riverbank and all the technical equipment. It was hard to believe that everything could be rebuilt in just three quarters of a year, and the time and cost were considerable.

SLOVENIA'S ENTHUSIASM But Slovenia's enthusiasm for whitewater sports made it possible. The artificial whitewater course at Tacen, near Ljubljana, has a long tradition, having hosted many World and European Championships, as well as an annual World Cup event. The long-term success of Slovenian whitewater athletes is based on the whitewater centre in Tacen. Through a joint effort, the renovation of the facility was undertaken and completed in time for the opening of the European Championships.

GOOD BENCHMARK For all the participating nations, this European Championships was a good benchmark before the Olympic Games in Paris. It was also an important event for us journalists to get to know the favourites for the upcoming Olympic medals.

The Kayak Cross events, which will be held in Paris for the first time, were of particular interest. The men's event was won by favourites Vit Prindis (CZE) and Joseph Clarke (GBR), while Alena Marx (SUI) was the surprise winner of the women's event.

Overall, the European Championship medals were distributed among several strong European federations, with the Czech Republic and the host nation Slovenia leading the way with 6 medals, including three gold medals.

Slovenia owes this sensational result to its men's C1 team. The youngest member of the team, Ziga Lin Hocevar, won the individual competition ahead of last year's overall World Cup winner Luka Bozic and world champion Benjamin Savsek. The trio also won the team competition.

With two gold medals, Slovenian Ziga Lin Hocevar was the most successful participant at the European Championships, ahead of Austria's Mario Leitner, who won two silver medals.
 

This success for Slovenia was a reward for the efforts put into the Ljubljana whitewater course.

At the end of the event, the athletes travelled to Paris in preparation for the Olympic Games in July, with exciting competition on the agenda.