The C1 men semi-final victory for Savsek. Czech with full team
Benjamin Savsek of Slovenia was the fastest in the men´s C1 semi-final on Sunday afternoon (20) at the 2020 ECA European Canoe Slalom Championships in Prague. Also all three Czech canoeists qualified for the final in the afternoon - Václav Chaloupka, Vojtěch Heger and Lukáš Rohan.
The Czech competitor Václav Chaloupka showed a clear run with 107.36 s and qualified straight away to the final. “The run was good, I was surprised. I think I managed well the tough combinations and I am very pleased after all. I have nothing gto lose in the final. The Olympic dream is still alive so I will fight,” said Chaloupka.
Afterwards, Vojtěch Heger crossed the finish clocking 107.62 s and secured his spot in the final too. “The course was hard but I managed it as we planned it. There were also slight mistakes but generally, I enjoy the event very much. I want the best possible results in the final and possibly even Tokyo. But I know I am young and I still have time. But I will not give to the guys for free,” confessed Heger.
Slovenian Benjamin Savsek, the next big name in the C1 men´s category, showed a 100% performance and set the leading time of 106.81 s. “I performed well, no touches so I am glad and I will try to repeat it in the final,” said Savšek.
His team mate Luka Bozic had the touches on the gates number 4 and 15, but it was enough for the final too. The semifinal did not go well for the Irish competitor Liam Jegou of Ireland who collected three touches and did not reach the final.
The last man on the start was the home competitor Lukáš Rohan, who managed a clear run. The gate number 24 has put him under the water for a moment but he was a able to get back and successfully qualified from the sixth place. “The final was obligatory for me. Now, it is time to mobilize all power because the course is very challenging. There were quite a few mistakes so it is possible to push the time down in the final. When it comes ti the Olympic Games, I cannot say I do not think about it. But my first aim is a medal from the European champs,” added Rohan.
Pictures: Jan Homolka