The Slovakian was the quickest qualifier in the women's K1 and was also second in the C1 on the Italian course.

Only a slight gate touch in the C1 denied her top spot in both disciplines, but she is still in with a fantastic chance of double gold.

She timed in at 93.87sec in the K1 and only Czech Gabriela Satkova bettered her in the C1, clocking 98.29.

"In K1 I say that I have never had luck, because at my first European Championships I finished fourth, then I was fifth and again fourth," said Stanovska.

"I'm still waiting for my medal. 

"This is my last chance so hopefully I can do it.

"My [C1] run wasn't as good as I wanted to go, there were a lot of little mistakes.

"The result really surprised me. 

"Maybe others made bigger mistakes than I did.

"I've been feeling pretty good, but before my run I was a little bit stressed. 

"But now it's okay."

France's Nicolas Gestin was the quickest in the men's junior C1 after helping his nation to a team gold medal on the opening day.

He clocked 85.42 to lead the way.

Another Frenchman heads the men's K1 as Anatole Delassus stopped the watches at 81.43.

There will be medal action at the event tomorrow in the mixed C2 and extreme kayak disciplines.