Brazil’s Ana Satila was the star performer on the opening day of the 2018 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup finals in Spain, qualifying fastest in the women’s K1 and second quickest in the C1.
Great Britain’s David Florence issued a reminder of his abilities with an eye-catching performance in the men’s C1, while teammate Mallory Franklin was the quickest in the women’s C1.
Frenchman Boris Neveu was the first qualifier in the men’s K1, but by just 0.04 seconds ahead of 2018 World Cup leader, Czech Jiri Prskavec, with Australia’s Lucien Delfour a further 0.05 seconds back in third.
Florence, a two-time C1 World Champion and three-time Olympic silver medallist, posted a time of 100.55 to lead the C1 qualifying ahead of defending World Cup champion, Germany’s Sideris Tasiadis, in 101.32.
Another Brit, Ryan Westley, was third quickest, while defending Olympic champion Denis Gargaud Chanut of France, was fourth.
Two-time Olympian Satila has not finished on the K1 podium this year, but stunned the best in the world by posting 103.18 to qualify fastest for tomorrow’s semi-finals.
Her time just pipped Australia’s Jessica Fox, beaten only once this year, who clocked in at 103.23. Spain’s Maialen Chourraut showed once again how formidable she can be on her hometown La Seu course, qualifying third in 103.93.
Franklin, the defending C1 world champion, was the most impressive winner of the day, rocketing to the finish line in 112.05 seconds, 2.50 seconds quicker than Satila, with another Brit, Kimberley Woods, third.
Fox, unbeaten in C1 this year, qualified 11th quickest.
Pics by Rafel Almenar
