Proofreading: Nick Harding, Sportscene | Article: Zuzana Trojáková - This weekend the best Czech slalom paddlers will race on the River Trnavka, Zeliv,  for qualification points for the World Championships in Prague and for the first time this year.

The first two qualification competitions and two Czech Cup events will be held on the Trnavka artificial slalom course which is situated in the centre of the Czech Republic between Brno and Prague. It is known as 'the toughest course' in the Czech Republic and is also one of the most difficult in the world with its length and drops.

Construction work started in 1979 and it was opened for the first time in 1984. In its early years, many competitors were scared of the wild rapids including some experienced slalom racers. After a number of modifications the barriers were tuned, so in spite of a large number of jumps, streams and rollers, the run is safer and becoming ever more popular.

“The Trnavka course is very difficult. For canoeists it is tougher than the one in Prague–Troja because of its iron construction and wooden barriers, it is also a bit more dangerous. Weaker competitors have to respect it, and it will be the more difficult for female paddlers than for men´s doubles. The last quarter of the channel is more difficult because of its steeper gradient, the upper part is more testing and it could surprise, everything depends on the design of the gates,” said Jiri Rohan, Director of Prague Championships Organisation Committee.

The flow is 700m long and 10-12m wide. The obstructions are created from concrete stoops on the bottom and 44 wooden gates anchored to the walls along the course. There is a 1,3 m jump with a cylinder at the end which is also suitable for whitewater rodeo.

It is an interesting fact that many foreign competitors do not know the course. The reason for this is that there is not enough water during the year in the River Trnava, so it would not be possible to organise an international competition complete with the necessary training.

“It is possible to use the 'areal' (flood plain) from spring to summer and from September until it starts freezing. In summer they need to monitor the water level of the Zelivka reservoir so as to preserve Prague's drinking water,” added Jiri Rohan.

Program of Qualification

European champions in individual events from 2012 and medal holders from the London Olympics are given automatic selection in all 2013 events. These competitors do not gain any points during the qualification events.

For the selection of the teams, two conditions must be fulfilled:

1. A top 3 placement in the overall ranking within qualification competitions
2. At least one final place in one of the following events:

• European Championships (Krakow)
• World Cup 1 (Cardiff), World Cup 2 (Augsburg), World Cup 3 (Seu D´Urgell)
• A medal at the World U23 Championships (Liptovsky Mikulas)
• a medal European U23 Championships (Bourg St. Maurice)

Boats which do not fulfil both conditions will need to take part in the additional qualification.

The village of Zeliv

The whitewater 'areal' is situated in a beautiful environment by the Trnavka reservoir next to the village of Zeliv. A very interesting attraction for tourists is the Zeliv cloister, which was established with a church  in the first half of the 12th Century. The rivers of Zelivka and Trnava flow around it from two sides.

Along with the slalom competition, the other attraction is the late-gothic style castle Zeliv, built in 1468. In the 16th century it was reconstructed and modified, becoming renaissance, it was rebuilt in 1910. There is also a historical beautiful stone dam worth the visit.