e-Finance Sport Team has completed another extreme race, the Trnava X Race. What kind of race was it and how did it turn out? We asked the most qualified person – competitor Pavel Srbecký, who vividly described the entire event for us. Thank you!
The Trnava X Race through the eyes of competitor Pavel Srbecký
"So the weekend is behind us, and it was really tough. Crowds of kayakers gathered at this year's national championship in Trnávka – everyone who means something in this sport. This year, the organizers spiced up the first discipline – fun slalom – with extra length, resulting in times nearly a third longer than in previous years. The exhaustion of competitors in the second half of the course suddenly turned otherwise harmless passages into a fight for survival at times. The artificial water channel Trnávka ends with a final jump into a large hydraulic, which must not be underestimated, no matter how exhausted you are. This part is especially appreciated by spectators on the shore.
I finished the fun slalom in a solid fourth place, giving me a chance for a podium finish. My teammate Lucka Součková delivered an excellent run, finishing in 2nd place among women. After a two-hour break, the main part of the competition followed: the sprint and the final contact kayak cross.
Sprint is traditionally my strongest discipline, the one I trust myself in the most. Despite extreme exhaustion and gasping for breath at the finish, I had a positive feeling about my run and believed I could achieve a top position. However, a small hesitation halfway through the course, which forced me to take an alternative route outside the ideal current, ultimately pushed me down to 8th place in a highly competitive field, which was certainly disappointing. The sum of points from the disciplines then meant a 4th qualifying position for me into the final kayak cross. Lucie repeated her slalom performance and finished second in the sprint behind leader Veronika Vojtová, who seems unbeatable today and delivered performances that would have been enough for second or third place even among the men."
After the break, quickly refresh yourself, replenish energy from EFI Pivovar with their energy drink EFI Beaer Lemonade Energy, and the main discipline begins: kayak cross – attractive for spectators because four competitors always start simultaneously, battling through rapids and several challenging mandatory touch banners in contact fights. The two best competitors always advance until complete exhaustion in the fifth final round. There is no shortage of entertainment, the order is uncertain until the end, the battles look tough, but today ends without injuries, just a few broken paddles. Despite tough competition, I eventually fight my way into the final, where despite holding first position in the initial section, I finish third, which is also my final placement in the entire race. It was great to meet and tease friends from all over the country, and as a bonus, my protégé Eda Skalický, who has also competed several times for our team in the past.
Lucie is less successful in the cross, forced to perform an emergency and combative Eskimo roll, and finishes this match in third place. Nevertheless, the sum of points from each discipline earns her a beautiful second place.
In the evening, the final additional discipline takes place, centered around celebrating placements. Despite great effort, the enthusiasm of younger competitors is evident, and soon we are looking forward to a well-deserved rest.
ASS Brno e-Finance Sport Team thus achieves 3rd place in men's category at this year's national championship in extreme kayaking (behind winner J. Choutka and second-place J. Beneš), and 2nd place in women's category (behind winner V. Vojtová).
Thanks to all organizers for a perfect event and to EFI Pivovar for their supportive products."
We thank Pavel Srbecký and Lucie Součková for their heroic performance and look forward to further competitions throughout this year.
You can watch the video recording HERE.
