Olympic champion Lisa Carrington topped the women's K1 200m heat at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup ©Getty Images

New Zealand's Olympic champion Lisa Carrington won her heat in the women's K1 200 metres at the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Sprint World Cup season opener in Poznań.

She recorded a time of 41.337secs to triumph, defeating Poland's Marta Walczykiewicz who finished in 41.613. 

In third was China's Ma Qing with a time of 42.837.

Carrington's time was the fastest across all six heats, with Sweden's Linnea Stensils securing the second quickest time in 41.603. 

Canada's Laurence Vincent-Lapointe led the heats in the women's C1 200m with a time of 46.009, while compatriot Katie Vincent impressed with 47.006.

Britian's Liam Heath dominated in the men's K1 200m at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup ©Team GB
Britian's Liam Heath dominated in the men's K1 200m at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup ©Team GB

Britain's Jonathan Schofield and Liam Heath dominated the heats in the men's K1 200m with times of 35.831 and 35.391, respectively. 

Latvia also made its presence felt  through Aleksejs Rumjancevs and Roberts Akmens.

Rumhancevs finished in 36.487, while Akmens clocked 37.815.

The competition continues tomorrow with the women and men's K1 and C1 500m and 1000m events.

Semi-finals and finals will be held on Saturday and Sunday (May 25 to 26).