Italy secured four of the six sprint gold medals on offer at the opening International Canoe Federation Wildwater Canoeing World Cup in Veles on Saturday.
Mathilde Serena Rosa won the first of those when she captured the women’s kayak crown in a time of 39.62, edging Switzerland’s Hannah Mueller by 0.12.
Kerry Christie of Great Britain claimed bronze in 39.99.
Tommaso Mapelli delivered success for Italy in the next race, triumphing in the men’s canoe final in 40.16.
France’s Louis Passernig posted 41.37 for silver, with Serbia’s Pavle Zdravkovic finishing in 41.60 for bronze.
Italy’s third gold of the day went to Cecilia Panato who sealed the women’s canoe title in 47.09.
Slovakia’s Katarina Kopunova claimed silver in 47.66 with Czechia’s Alexandra Plachtova earning bronze in 49.11.
Italy also enjoyed success in the two boat with Tommaso Mapelli and Giacomo Bianchetti triumphing in the men’s canoe double final.
The Italian duo emerged victorious in 39.86, seeing off France’s Raphael Quenault and Jean Chevallier and Czechia’s Vojtech Stybnar and Alva Beier who bagged silver and bronze respectively.
There was delight for Slovenia when multiple world champion Nejc Znidarcic captured the men’s kayak title in 34.02.
Just 0.02 separated second and third with Titouan Doreau of France overcoming Great Britain’s Alexander Sheppy for silver.
The final race of the day saw Great Britain’s Emma Christie and Kerry Christie win the women’s canoe double final in 46.58.
Czechia’s Ela Strechova and Alexandra Plachtova sealed silver in 47.88, with France’s Emma Lacoste and Margot Beziat finishing with bronze in 48.27.
The second ICF Wildwater Canoeing World Cup will be staged in Veles on Sunday with the classic titles on the line.
Pictures by Aldis Toome
For all of today's results, click here.
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