Host Bratislava sets stage for super-charged environment Sept. 6 - 11.
Canoe slalom fans and insiders are preparing for what promises to be a super-charged atmosphere at the upcoming 2011 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships set to take place here next week.

Fan enthusiasm is expected to be off the Richter-scale as Slovakia, long known as a powerhouse of Canoe Slalom, hosts these Championships which also serve as a qualifier for the London 2012 Olympics. As such, it will be a star-studded event with all the top names in Canoe Slalom registered to compete among the more than 400 athletes from 50 countries who will take to the course at arguably one of the finest slalom venues in the world, the Water Sports Centre Cunovo.

“Slovakia not only has the greatest Olympians in our sport, it has some of the most enthusiastic fans so with World titles and Olympic berths up for grabs we can expect an electric atmosphere and the best that slalom has to offer on one of the greatest courses,” said ICF Second Vice President Richard Fox.

Among the most intriguing matchups that will play out on the Cunova course next week is that of longtime C-1 rivals and multiple Olympic and world title-holders Tony Estanguet (FRA) and hometown hero Michal Martikan (SVK). Martikan, with four Olympic medals, including two gold, will be tough to beat on such familiar water as the Cunovo channel, an offshoot of the Danube.

This year’s worlds will be Estanguet and Martikan’s third significant appearance together this season after the Markkleeburg World Cup and the Olympic Test event last month. So far, Martikan has the upper hand having won both events, but don’t write off Estanguet the winner of the last two world titles.

Other strongmen in this class include Martiken’s Slovakian teammates Alex Slafkosky and Matej Benus, not to mention Olympic silver medalist David Florence (GBR).

In K-1 men, look for Czech Vavrinec Hradlik (CZE), who finished this season’s World Cup in second place, to be among the top spoilers in the epic rivalry between Peter Kauzer (SLO) and Daniele Molmenti (ITA).

Slalom watchers caution that any of a handful of other heavyweights could also take a place on the podium at the end of this week including Olympic champion Alexander Grimm (GER) or perhaps his Augsburg team mate Hannes Aigner.

Other top Slovakian athletes are expected to get an extra boost from hometown fans who are expected to be a vocal and dominant presence in the 8,000 seat grandstands. Headliners include the seemingly invincible three-time Olympic C-2 Champions, twin brothers Pavol and Peter Hochschorner, and fellow countrymen Peter and Ladislav Skantar, cousins, hoping to set the foundation here for what they hope will be their first Olympic medals next year.

The French also have high expectations for a C2 medal following a handful of World Cup podiums from three different crews as well a medal from last year’s worlds from Fabien Lefevre and Denis Gargaud who also double as chances in their respective individual K1 and C1 events.

Not to be considered lightweights in the race for a medal are the in-form Slovenian pair, Saso Tlajat and Luka Bozic, winners of the Prague World Cup earlier this month.

Expect thunderous cheers, horns and drumbeats for Slovakian women too as Jana Dukatova and Dana Mann, as well as Austria’s Corrinna Kuhnle, who lives just over the border, continue their exciting battle for the top spots in the K-1 division. They will have to take on the formidable Elena Kaliska, the two time Olympic champion, who seems to be coming good again at just the right time with a win at the recent Prague World Cup and a podium finish at the London test event. Watch out, too, for the Spanish fire of Maialen Chourraut and a strong showing from the Germans who will have three big shots at the podium with Melanie Pfeiffer, Claudia Baer and 2009 world champ Jasmin Shornberg.

This year will also mark the further growth in participation and performance of the Women’s C-1 category and expect an extra burst of sizzle when these women take to the course. Australia looks promising to medal with Rosalyn Lawrence the overall World Cup winner, youngster Jess Fox has a two wins from two starts record at World Cups this year while Leanne Guinea will start with a silver medal from last year’s worlds to defend or improve. The hometown favorite will be Katarina Macova with a threat from the Chinese pair, Teng and Cen, not to mention the fast improving Katerina Hoskova of the Czech Republic and Caroline Loir of France.