Burgess earns canoe short slalom gold in Prague

Adam Burgess got the Canoe Slalom World Cup weekend in Prague off to the perfect start with victory in the men’s canoe short slalom.

Burgess adapted to the new event, which features 12 gates rather than the usual 21, in style with an explosive run to clock a time of 52.57s, nearly half a second ahead of Slovenia’s Ziga Lin Hocevar.

It marks a strong start to the World Cup meeting in Czechia for Great Britain ahead of the canoe and kayak slalom finals on Saturday, and kayak cross finals on Sunday.

“That winning run felt amazing,” said Burgess. “I really enjoyed myself and I think when a performance comes from a place of joy like that, that’s how we can bring out our best.

“This has always been one of my favourite places to race. All of us in canoe slalom love an opportunity to race in Prague.”

Burgess’ gold was the perfect response from the previous World Cup campaign in Pau, where the Olympic silver medallist missed out on the final.

“I was disappointed not to feature in the final in Pau,” he added. “I was able to turn it around by not letting it affect me too much.

“It wasn’t a reflection that I wasn’t doing the right things. I knew a performance would come, I have been so strong in training. One poor race doesn’t make it time to hit the panic button.”

The short course format made its debut in Prague, and Burgess is fully embracing the new challenge.

“I really enjoy it,” he continued. “It leaves athletes with no choice but to go for it. You have to be pretty perfect everywhere if you want to stand on the podium.

“It will leave me with some questions in how I approach normal slalom.”

Friday was a full day of the new short course events, with Nikita Setchell, Kimberley Woods, and Lois Leaver kicking off the action in the women’s kayak.

Setchell and Woods both qualified for the final, where they finished eighth and 10th respectively.

Jonny Dickson then led the way in the men’s kayak, qualifying fastest from the morning heats in a time of 49.97. Ben Haylett and Jake Brown did not progress to the final.

Dickson was not able to convert his qualification form into a medal, as he finished eighth in the afternoon session.

In the women’s canoe, Beth Forrow was the best-placed Brit, as she missed out on a place in the final with a 15th-placed finish, while Woods and Ellis Miller also did not progress.

The men’s canoe saw Burgess qualify second before ultimately going on to take gold. Ryan Westley finished 18th to narrowly miss out on the final, while Luc Royle placed 40th.