Woods was the passenger in a car that was hit side-on as she returned to the hotel following a training session in Bratislava.

The incident left her with a "really badly swollen ankle," and "whiplash", but the Briton was able to recover enough to take to the start line in Bratislava.

"It was really really scary, so just to get on the start line was an incredible achievement for me," Woods said.

"It’s changed my perspective a little bit this week, just being out here, with the sun shining."

Woods produced a run of 92.11sec, with Brazilian Ana Sátila qualifying second fastest in 93.31 and Woods' compatriot Mallory Franklin third fastest 93.47.

"I actually couldn’t believe I did such a good run, I really need to have a bit more belief in myself."

Australian Jessica Fox qualified fourth fastest, and also topped the qualifying ranks in the K1 event.

Fox powered down in 89.18, with Olympic champion Ricarda Funk of Germany, who is yet to win a world title despite winning a bronze in 2017 and 2018 and silver in 2015, second fastest in 89.99.

"I didn’t train for two and a half weeks (after Tokyo), I didn’t touch my boat at all, so after that I was really fired up to get back to training," said Funk. 

"Mentally it was quite a challenge, but I love this sport so much, and I really love training. 

"Being world champion would be the crown on top."

In the men's C1 Slovakia’s Alexander Slafkovský qualified fastest in 83.96 as he chases his inaugural world title in what could be his final competition.

"Emotionally, and after this run, I’m really happy," Slafkovský said.

"I had a good feeling on the water, and I feel that maybe it could be my last world championships, who knows, but I want to show the runs that I showed on the qualification run."

He qualified more than two seconds quicker than Slovenia's Olympic champion Benjamin Savšek, while David Florence of Britain qualified third fastest in 86.57.

France's Boris Neveu, who won the world title in 2014, qualified fastest in the K1 in 82.14.

Neveu, who was also a part of France's K1 team that won the world title yesterday, said: "We will see what happens this weekend, because it’s most important for me to have a medal this weekend, but it’s a good start for me because I am confident. 

"It’s been a very long year for me, but I want to win a medal here, maybe in slalom, maybe in extreme slalom."

Czech Republic pair Vít Přindiš and Vavřinec Hradilek qualified second and third fastest in 82.51 and 82.85 respectively.

The World Championships continue tomorrow, with wildwater canoe and kayak heats and extreme kayak time trials.

The semi-finals and finals of the men's and women's K1 will take place on Saturday (September 25) and the C1 finals will take place the following day.