Italy’s Xabier Ferrazzi and Czechia’s Tereza Kneblova will be looking to continue their fantastic form as they seek to capture individual world U23 titles in Krakow, Poland.
The two paddlers are among the leading names competing at the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships from June 30 to July 5.
With 24 sets of medals up for grabs, a total of 445 athletes from 51 nations have gathered in Krakow aiming to taste success at age-group level.
Click here for live startlists and results from Krakow
Ferrazzi arrives in the Polish city on the crest of a wave after a superb start to the season.
The 20-year-old struck men’s kayak gold at the opening ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Tacen before following that up with bronze medals in Prague and Augsburg.
He returns to the Kolna course where he was crowned junior world champion two years ago and will now aim to upgrade last year’s U23 silver to gold.
Great Britian’s Sam Leaver and France’s Martin Cornu are expected to provide his great challenge for top spot.
Kneblova is another paddler enjoying a purple patch as she secured women’s canoe gold in Tacen and clinched the World Cup title in the women’s kayak cross in Augsburg.
The 23-year-old has won two U23 world C1 teams titles but has yet to take individual gold as she earned silver in 2023.
Fellow Czech Adriana Morenova, Italy’s Elena Micozzi and Germany’s Lucie Krech are among the athletes looking to get the better of Kneblova in the battle for C1 glory.
There are several returning champions bidding to retain their crowns including Czechia’s Lucas Kratochvil in the U23 men’s C1.
He emerged victorious in Foix last year and will hope to defend his title but will face competition from the likes of France’s Mewen Debliquy, Czech team-mate Adam Kral and Italian pair Martino Barzon and Elio Maiutto.
Spain’s Oier Diaz, who was crowned junior world champion in C1, will also be contesting the U23 title.
Another Spaniard Leire Goni is the top seed in the women’s K1 U23 where Poland will hope for success with Dominika Brzeska and reigning junior world champion Hanna Danek lining up.
Full coverage of the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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