Přindiš, a silver medallist at the 2014 European Championships in Vienna, paddled superbly down the the Tacen Whitewater Course on the Sava River in the Slovenian capital in 90.19sec.

Beijing 2008 Olympic champion Alexander Grimm of Germany finished over 2.6 seconds behind to progress second in 92.89.

Another Czech, defending European champion Jiri Prskavec, was third, a further tenth of a second back.

Britain's reigning Olympic champion Joseph Clarke qualified fifth in 93.96.

Competition began following three weeks of frantic recovery work to repair damage caused by heavy rain and flooding in late April.

Defending champion Nuria Vilarrubla of Spain began well in the women's C1, an event proposed to replace the men's C2 on the Olympic programme at Tokyo 2020.

She qualified fastest in 116.44 to finish 1.57 seconds clear of Britain's Mallory Franklin.

Andrea Herzog of Germany was a distant third in 123.63.

Slovakian brothers Ladislav Skantar and Peter Skantar paddled fastest through qualifying today in the men's C2.

The pair continued the form they showed in winning Olympic gold medal together at Rio 2016 to clock 108.15.

Ondřej Karlovský and Jakub Jáně of Czech Republic progressed second in 110.12, with Robert Behling and Thomas Becker of Germany third in 110.29.

Semi-finals and finals are due to be held on Saturday (June 3) in the three events which started today.

Qualifying in the women's K1 and men's C1 is scheduled take place tomorrow along with team competitions.

Action will then conclude on Sunday (June 4).