Marek Rygel continued the Czech Republic's strong performance at the International Canoe Federation Wildwater Canoeing World Championships ©Czech Canoe Federation

Marek Rygel continued the Czech Republic's strong performance at the International Canoe Federation Wildwater Canoeing World Championships by posting the quickest time of the men's C1 sprint race in Muotathal.

Rygel was by the far the fastest performer out on the course today as he clocked a time of 1min 11.22sec in his heat.

The time posted by the Czech paddler was over two seconds quicker than France's Tony Debray, who was second in 1:13.37.

Mattia Quintarelli of Italy was third in 1:13.43.

In the women's C1 event, France had three athletes in the top four as Helene Raguenes clocked 1:23.17.

Marlene Ricciardi of Italy broke up the French domination of the higher echelons of the leaderboard as she was second fastest in 1:24.69, ahead of Claire Haab and Margot Beziat.

The sprint heats were the main item on the schedule for the penultimate event of the Championships ©ICF
The sprint heats were the main item on the schedule for the penultimate event of the Championships ©ICF

France were also in good form in the men's K1 as Paul Jean completed the course in 1:06.96, 0.25 in front of Robert McIntyre of Australia.

Andrej Malek of Slovakia rounded out the top three having finished in 1:07.47.

Janosch Sulzer and Ole Schwarz of Germany were fastest in the C2 men's double heats, clocking 1:12.39.

The Czech teams of Martin Novak and Antonin Hales and Vaclav Kristek and Filip Jelinek were second and third respectively.

The event in Switzerland concludes tomorrow.