The 2026 European Rafting Championships are officially underway! Today the iconic Kanjon Tijesno on the Vrbas River in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted a thrilling first day of competition. A total of 38 registered teams lined up to battle the rapids in the highly anticipated Sprint discipline, setting the stage for an unforgettable weekend of racing.
The Senior Men's category saw explosive runs, with 17 squads on the start list. While neutral athletes (AIN 1 and AIN 2) clocked the first and third fastest times at 1:11.84 and 1:12.80 respectively, the undeniable highlight was an incredible performance from France 1. The French crew navigated the technical sections of the Vrbas flawlessly to claim second place in 1:12.70, proving they are serious title contenders this year. Czechia and Croatia 1 followed closely behind in fourth and fifth, promising a fierce battle among the European federations in the upcoming days.
In the Senior Women's division, a competitive field of 8 registered teams took to the water. Neutral crews (AIN 1 and AIN 2) took the top two spots on the timing sheet and the Czechia delivered a powerful, precise run to secure third place with a time of 1:18.43. France and Great Britain 2 also put down strong markers on the river, finishing in 1:21.66 and 1:21.80 respectively.
The Senior Mixed sprint featured a packed field of 13 registered teams. While neutral athletes secured the top two times, the German team crossed the line at 1:16.24, taking third place and narrowly edging out the two strong Czechia teams in a nail-biting finish. Host nation Bosnia and Herzegovina also put on a fantastic show for the home crowd, fielding two competitive teams that successfully broke into the top 8.
As we wrap up this incredible opening day you can catch all the action live on our social media channels throughout the rest of the week.
Rest up, because we will see you tomorrow as the competition heats up with the adrenaline-pumping RX!
