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Just days after a spectacular opening World Cup in Tacen, Slovenia, the world's best canoe slalom athletes travel to Prague, Czech Republic, for the second stop of the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup series.

A total of 241 athletes from 43 nations and five continents will compete at the iconic Prague White Water Centre, making it one of the strongest and most international fields of the season. The event features significantly larger participation than the opening World Cup in Tacen and once again highlights the global growth of canoe slalom. Nevertheless, Europe continues to dominate the sport, both in participation and results, after European athletes claimed 23 of the 24 medals awarded in Slovenia last weekend.

Prague is one of the most historic venues in international canoe slalom. The Czech course has hosted numerous major championships over the years, including the European Canoe Slalom Championships in 2018 and again in 2020, further cementing its reputation as one of the sport’s classic venues.

The opening World Cup in Tacen highlighted Europe's extraordinary depth, with host nation Slovenia topping the medal table thanks largely to the performances of Žiga Lin Hočevar and Eva Alina Hočevar, who arrive in Prague among the leading names to watch once again.

All eyes will be on Žiga Lin Hočevar. The Slovenian star arrives after a sensational opening weekend where he claimed double gold in Men's Canoe and Men's Kayak Cross, confirming the form that already saw him crowned European Champion on home water in Tacen in 2024. With victories in two disciplines last weekend, Hočevar is undoubtedly one of the main favourites heading into World Cup II.

In Men's Canoe, the battle promises to be particularly intense. Slovenia's Žiga Lin Hočevar and Luka Božič will face Spain's Miquel Travé, France's Nicolas Gestin and Yohann Senechault, Slovakia's Matej Beňuš, Great Britain's Adam Burgess and a strong Czech contingent led by Václav Chaloupka and Lukáš Rohan.

The Men's Kayak field is equally impressive. European champion Jiri Prskavec returns to compete on home water in front of Czech fans and will undoubtedly be one of the favourites. He will be challenged by fellow Czech paddlers Jakub Krejčí and Vít Přindiš, while France fields a powerful team including World Cup leader Titouan Castryck and Anatole Delassus. Italy's Giovanni De Gennaro, Slovenia's Peter Kauzer, Spain's Pau Echaniz and Miquel Travé, Australia's Lucien Delfour and New Zealand's Finn Butcher add further quality to one of the strongest events of the weekend.

In Women's Kayak, Germany's Ricarda Funk, Great Britain's Kimberley Woods, France's Camille Prigent, Slovenia's Eva Alina Hočevar, Spain's Maialen Chourraut and Slovakia's Zuzana Panková headline another world-class field capable of producing one of the closest competitions of the weekend.

The Women's Canoe competition is expected to feature another fascinating battle between Monica Doria, Eva Alina Hočevar, Zuzana Panková, Angèle Hug, Kimberley Woods and Czech athlete Tereza Kneblová, one of the standout performers from the opening World Cup in Tacen.

Kayak Cross once again promises plenty of excitement, with many of the discipline's leading specialists entered. Tacen winners Žiga Lin Hočevar and Alena Marx return alongside Joseph Clarke, Sam Leaver, Mathurin Madore, Camille Prigent, Angèle Hug and Kimberley Woods.

The Czech Republic will be hoping that home advantage can translate into podium success. With Prague having already hosted two recent European Championships and countless World Cup races, local athletes know every detail of the demanding course and will be eager to challenge the visitors. The host nation is also one of the largest teams at the event, fielding 14 athletes, matching France as the biggest delegation in Prague.

Following the European domination seen in Slovenia, the second World Cup of the season offers another opportunity for Europe's best athletes to strengthen their position before attention gradually turns towards the 2026 European Canoe Slalom Championships in Ivrea, Italy, from 24 to 26 September.

If Tacen was any indication, Prague is set to deliver another unforgettable weekend of world-class canoe slalom.