The Danish canoeist has twice tasted victory in the event having triumphed in 2019 and 2021.

His hopes of a third successive title were ended at last year’s World Championships in Ponte de Lima when South Africa’s Andrew Birket emerged victorious.

Birkett is also the reigning World Games champion having come out on top at last year’s event in Birmingham where canoe marathon made its debut.

José Ramalho of Portugal is also expected to challenge having beaten Pedersen into second spot in 2022.

In the sprint, Pedersen is set to battle it out with Portugal’s Fernando Pimenta for men’s K1 gold.

Another star attraction at Lake Jels is Hungary’s Vanda Kiszli who will be seeking to win a fifth successive women’s K1 crown.

Kiszli captured gold at the World Games and has not lost over the distance since 2018.

Sweden’s Melina Andersson and fellow Hungarian Zsofia Czellai-Voros are expected to be Kiszli’s biggest threats.

Kiszli was a winner of the women’s sprint K1 title in 2019 and 2021 and will be determined to take top spot again after Andersson emerged victorious last year.

Spain are poised to be in the mix for medals in Vejen with Manual Garrido and Manuel Campos aiming to be on the podium against in the men’s C1 after finishing first and third respectively last year.

Other Spaniards bidding to retain their title are Tania Fernández and Tania Álvarez in the women’s K2 division, while Miguel Llorens and Alberto Plaza will be attempting to get the better of Ramalho and Fernando Pimenta who captured the men’s K2 crown in 2022.

Ukraine’s Liudmyla Babak has been dominant in the women’s C1 event and will be looking to secure a sixth crown here.

Competition is due to begin tomorrow and run until Sunday (September 3).