Slovenian kayaker and canoeist duo take silver at European championship
Liptovsky Mikulas, 15 May - Slovenian kayaker Urša Kragelj and canoeist duo Luka Božič and Sašo Taljat won silver in whitewater slalom at the European Championships in Liptovsky Mikulaš, Slovakia, on Sunday.
The silver medal has brought Kragelj, who was second behind Germany's Melanie Pffeifer, a spot on the Slovenian team for the Olympics in Rio.
"A great day, almost as from dreams... I'm happy to get the silver medal, because I don't have one from a big race, but I'm almost happier for getting the Olympic ticket. I haven't been to the Games yet," said the 27-year old European vice champion.
Božič and Taljat meanwhile came in second in canoe double behind Slovakian duo Tomaš Kučera and Jan Batik. The pair already has gold and bronze from European and world championships, but this is their first silver.
"We started adding speed after the bridge and jump, risked some things as well, but it turned out fine in the end. That's how you compete. I think Slovenians add speed at the end and don't show everything right from the start," said Božič.
The duo will also compete in Rio and will travel there for training next week with the rest of the Slovenian rowing Olympic team.