Jeffery to Compete at Slalom Canoe World Cup

More than 300 athletes from 45 countries will contest the first of five ICF slalom World Cups in Prague, Czech Republic from 19 to 21 June.

Nine Australians will feature amongst a world class field, with racing set to get underway on Friday from 3pm Perth time.

This year’s World Cup series will be pivotal to the Australian team, as they provide a launching pad leading in the World Championships in September, where Olympic quotas can be secured.

2012 London Olympian and WAIS scholarship holder Robin Jeffery will form part of the Australian C1 men’s squad, competing alongside fellow Australians Ethan Hodson and Ian Borrows.

Little separates the three Australians, with the race wide open to secure the C1 seat in Rio.

This year Hodson and Jeffery will focus solely on the C1 event, with no Australian boats to contest the C2.

Borrows consistently made the semifinals at each of the World Cups in 2014 and will be looking to take the next step and reach a final this year.

Rounding out an impressive international field at the opening world cup will be British canoeist David Florence, Slovakian duo Matej Benus and Alexander Slafkovsky, and German Sideris Tasiadis.

-CanoeingAus