About 150 athletes from 11 countries are set to participate at the Pan American Canoe Slalom Championships over the next three days at the Parque das Laranjeiras.

Brazil will hope to make the most of home advantage with reigning Pan American champions Pedro Gonçalves and Ana Sátila poised to star.

The duo claimed two gold medals each at Lima 2019, with Gonçalves winning the men’s K1 and extreme K1 titles and Sátila capturing the women’s C1 and extreme K1 crowns.

A total of 46 athletes will qualify for Santiago 2023 this weekend, with 36 spots available in the canoe slalom events and another 10 up for grabs in extreme canoe slalom.

Nine countries each will seal tickets to Santiago in the men's and women's C1 and K1 events, while another five will qualify from the extreme canoe slalom tournament.

As the host nation of Santiago 2023, Chile will automatically qualify in the C1 and K1 events if their athletes compete in Brazil.

Chile is not guaranteed qualification in the extreme canoe slalom disciplines but could still earn a spot in the competition with a top-five finish this weekend.

Athletes from the United States are expected to present the biggest challenge for Brazil as the only other country to win golds at Lima 2019.

Zachary Lokken will seek qualification in the men's C1 event in order to defend his title, while Evy Leibfarth will look to do the same in the women's K1.

Other Lima 2019 medallists include Sebastian and Lucas Rossi of Argentina, Sofia Reinoso of Mexico and Lois Betteridge and Keenan Simpson of Canada.

Competition is due to start tomorrow with qualifying races in the K1 and C1 events.

Semi-finals and finals are set to be held on Saturday (April 29) and Sunday (April 30).