New Zealand's Mike Dawson has topped the heats at the first canoe slalom world cup event of the season in Prague.
Mike Dawson in Prague, 2015. Photo: ICF
The 28-year-old was the only kayaker to break the 80 second mark on the course, clocking 79.30 to finish 2.03 clear of the 2013 world champion, Vavrinec Hradilek.
The Reigning world champion Boris Neveu of France was fifth-fastest in 81.90 while Olympic champion Daniele Molmenti was eighth-quickest.
Dawson is hoping to better his previous best finish at a world cup, a 9th in Slovenia last year.
His fellow New Zealand Olympian Luuka Jones didn't make the semifinals after missing gates in both her heat runs.
