In the third of our big interviews with the 2024 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup Series winners, we spoke to women’s overall kayak champion Ricarda Funk of Germany. 

Moments after getting into her boat in Ivrea, Germany’s Ricarda Funk broke down in tears as memories of her Olympic nightmare came rushing back. 

All those painful feelings reared their ugly head as Funk tried to gather herself for her first race back since the Olympic Games in Paris.  

Almost two months had gone by since Funk’s devastation of seeing her dreams of capturing the Olympic women’s kayak crown for a second time end in tatters in the French capital. 

After several weeks without touching her boat and many days spent crying, Funk felt she was ready to return to action at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Ivrea, Italy. 

But the pain she had been enduring since that sorry day in Paris had not completely gone away. 

“I remember the first day in Ivrea,” said Funk.  

“It was on the Monday when we arrived in Ivrea and just before our first session I went into my boat, started warming up and I just started to cry.  

“I didn’t know what was going on but I think it was because all these race emotions came back. 

“It was my first race week after Paris so it was quite emotional for me but I was surprised that these feelings were still there.  

“I thought I was over this but obviously not fully.” 

After winning gold at Tokyo 2020, Funk backed that up by clinching two world titles in the women’s kayak in 2021 and 2022. 

Funk also started this season strongly with medals in the opening two events on the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series, sealing silver on her home course in Augsburg and bronze in Prague.  

“I was really happy with my form and I felt like that I was ready for this,” said Funk.  

“I felt fit, I knew that I could do it but it’s something different to actually doing it.” 

In Paris, Funk made a positive and posted the quickest time in the semi-final, meaning she would be the last paddler to go in the final. 

With Jessica Fox leading the way, Funk looked to beat the Australian’s time of 92.18 only for disaster to strike when she clattered into gate 20 that cost her a place on the podium. 

“It is hard,” said Funk when trying to reflect on the final.  

“I touched this gate and it was not only a touch, it was a 50 (second penalty). 

“In this moment when I touched the gate or when I didn’t really cross the gate, I didn’t feel the 50.  

“I just thought it was a touch and I am going to fight to the finish line and we will see.  

“I was still hoping to get a good position.  

“I knew it can’t be very good anymore but I was still hoping for something good but when I saw the 50 on the screen I was just like wow, just devastated.” 

Funk was left heartbroken but thanked the German team and her family and friends for helping her through the toughest moments. 

“I was just crying a lot,” said the 32-year-old.  

“I am really grateful about the help that I received.  

“Straight after my race, I got some mental support from the welfare team of Team Germany and this was really good.  

“I think this was important because it was not easy.  

“Paris was this one goal and I worked so hard for this.  

“Not only the past few months but past couple of years.  

“It was quite hard to see the good things and to accept that I didn’t achieve the big goal of winning an Olympic medal in front of my family and friends. 

“But I achieved some other small goals, like being on the startline, with no fear, being ready to go and enjoying this race feeling.  

“These are the small goals and I achieved them which is actually great and it was quite hard to switch into this view.” 

Although it ended in disappointment, Funk said she will reflect fondly on the memories spent with her supporters in Paris. 

“My family and many friends were there,” said Funk. 

“Germany is so close to Paris so many friends decided to just hop on a train and come to watch me race there.  

“It was the moment when I failed which was heartbreaking but when I think of Paris I remember all these people, all my fans waiting on the other side and it was a huge group.  

“Even though I messed up my run, they were really happy and still celebrating me somehow and it gave me a lot.” 

Funk returned to competition in September for the final two ICF Canoe Slalom World Cups of the season in Ivrea and La Seu. 

The prospect of winning the overall K1 title was not at the forefront of her mind when she got back into race mode. 

But after wiping away the tears in Ivrea, Funk was soon back at the top of her game. 

Funk showed tremendous courage to bounce back from her Paris nightmare with a silver medal in Ivrea. 

A fourth place in La Seu followed a week later as Funk was crowned series winner for the third time. 

“I am really happy that I could finish my season like this,” said Funk, who topped the overall standings with 252 points. 

“It means a lot to me because the Olympics didn’t go the way I was hoping for. I was really sad about this.  

“I wasn’t sure if I could still do it so finishing the season with the overall World Cup win somehow shows that I have consistency and that I can keep up with the girls.” 

Funk’s previous series victories came in 2016 and 2017 with Fox crowned overall K1 champion in the past five seasons. 

“It has given me a boost,” said Funk.  

“I am satisfied with the season, I can’t complain.  

“I had a good season except for one race. 

“In the end, I finished second, second, third, fourth and 11th (in Paris).  

“There was just one race that didn’t fit into the whole picture. 

“I feel like my goal now is to just enjoy paddling, enjoy racing and be happy.  

“For me, the path is the goal and I really want to live out this motto.”