Unlike in 1989, when the Championships were held on a natural course on the Savage River, the athletes will compete on the artificial white watercourse at the Adventure Sport Centre International.

Following two days of training, competition is due to officially start on Thursday (September 18) and conclude on Sunday (September 21). 

Although athletes are relatively accustomed to competing on artificial courses, the water at the facility is unique, it is claimed, as it was built using real rocks and designed to have the same feel as a natural river.

In the C1 men's category, American Olympian Casey Eichfeld will aim to prove that he is more than just a poster-boy for the Championships and find his way to another final.

"The World Championships coming to the United States is amazing," he said.

"I am excited to share our sport with America in a way that we haven't done since 1989.

"It is also great having a home race and enjoying the perks of not flying to another country for them.

"I hope that all the spectators and athletes have as much fun here as I am.

"Let's see what Team USA can do on our home course.

"Go USA."

American Casey Eichfeld has been dubbed the poster-boy of the 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships in Deep Creek, Maryland ©Getty Images



In the K1 women's category, Ashley Nee of the US, will look to represent her home state well and make her first final of the season.

"Having the World Championships at home is an opportunity of a lifetime," she said.

"Welcoming the world to an area and a venue which I am truly proud of has been an incredible experience.

"The course is ready and it will test the world's best competitors, but we are ready."

The competition begins with the K1 men's heats, where American under -23 world champion Michal Smolen will be striving to follow up his strong international racing season this year.

Meanwhile, another American, two-time Olympic medallist and former world champion Fabien Lefèvre will try to better his fourth-place finish at last year's event as he competes in his newly adopted home state.

You can watch the action unfold on the International Canoe Federation's YouTube channel by clicking here.