Australia’s Jessica Fox won an incredible 33rd International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup title in the women’s canoe and seventh overall crown on a dramatic day of racing in La Seu, Spain.
Hometown fans celebrated another gold with Miquel Trave winning the men’s C1 gold, while Slovakia’s Matej Benus wrapped up his fourth overall World Cup title and his first since 2019.
Fox bounced back after missing the podium in the women’s kayak on Friday to storm to victory in the C1 final.
The dual Paris 2024 gold medalist, who has won back-to-back Olympic golds in C1, returned to her best form to snatch victory by just 0.11 of a second.
“I’m so happy with my run, I had to work really hard,” said Fox.
“It’s been a great season, so special every time you put down a great run.
“I didn’t race at Ivrea, so I knew I had to have a good race today.
“Yesterday was a hard day.
WHO ELSE?! Jess Fox takes another Gold!
— Everything canoe, kayak, and SUP (@PlanetCanoe) September 21, 2024
Jessica Fox, Australia - Canoe Final / 2024 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup La Seu Spain pic.twitter.com/U7pGOrk87w
“It’s always a bit of a challenge to come back after the Olympics, trying to find the hunger and motivation.
“You sometimes wonder whether to go for a win or play safe, but you just have to go for it.”
Czech Gabriela Satkova finished second, and in doing so secured second place on the overall standings. Satkova won both her previous World Cup appearances.
Her sister Martina Satkova finished third overall, while Great Britain’s Kimberley Woods took the bronze in the La Seu final.
Fox has now won the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series title in C1 in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2024.
In the men’s competition, Trave posted the quickest time in the C1 semi-final, and then followed up with the best time in the final.
Great Britain’s Ryan Westley, who was the slowest qualifier through to the final, finished a close second, while veteran and two-time Olympic champion Michal Martikan of Slovakia took the bronze.
It was the 45-year-old’s first World Cup medal since 2017.
“It was a really tough run, especially after I touched gate four,” Trave said.
“It’s so wonderful to win here, with all of the city coming down here to support me.
“It’s absolutely incredible, I just kept fighting all the way.”
Benus finished fourth to seal the overall title, while Slovenian teenager Ziga Lin Hocevar finished second overall.
By finishing second in La Seu, Westley jumped up the leaderboard to finish third in the final World Cup standings.
The 2024 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup season will wrap up on Sunday with the men’s and women’s kayak cross competition.
For the results and competition schedule, click here.
Full coverage of this week's event can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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