Alexander Slafkovsky (SVK, C1M), Nuria Vilarrubla (ESP, C1W) and Vit Prindis (CZE, K1M) showed their speed as they each won on the tight and testing 1992 Barcelona Olympic course as the first medals of the 2016 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in La Seu D’Urgell, Spain were handed out.

Slafkovsky ‘s C1M victory was supreme with the tall Slovakian providing a master class of twists, turns and speed that was unmatched on Spain’s top slalom course.

“It was though because there were good boats in the final. I had to stay focused. I liked it here, I am paddling here since 1999 and the course is a little bit like Liptovky,” commented the winner.

It is the second time the Slovakian has won on the La Seu D’Urgell course.

France's Denis Gargaud Chanut and the Czech Vitezslav Gebas finished behind Slafkovsky in that order.

In the C1W Vilarrubla reaffirmed her status as the fastest women on the course despite not matching her earlier efforts in the heats and semifinal.

“I’m so happy winning here on my home course, its so special,” said the Spanish star.

In the final the 24-year-old clipped gate 12, but was still the quickest, out-pacing her compatriot, and silver medallist, Miren Lazkano (ESP) by a comfortable five-second margin.

Vilarrubla reminisced about her years at the famous venue, “I used to hand out the medals and now I’m the one receiving one it means so much, especially with Miren next to me. She is the one that pushes me everyday so I’m happy for us both.”

Noemie Fox (AUS) collected bronze with a strong run that was just a fraction off the silver medal pace.

Czech star Prindis picked up his first World Cup gold in the K1M final.

“I feel amazing now. The race is over and I am on the top, it was the best possible ending," said the latest Czech podium topper.

"At the top of the run I told myself I wanted to enjoy it and avoid stupid mistake, to play with my boat and go smoothly down. I do not pay attention to what the speaker says and focus on myself."

As he crossed the line Prindis made the gesture of strumming a guitar confident he'd done enough to snatch victory.

Slovakia's Jakub Grigar took a well-earned silver, with double-World Champion Peter Kauzer (SLO) taking bronze.

C1 Men
Gold – Alexander Slafkovsky (SVK)
Silver – Denis Gargaud Chanut (FRA)
Bronze – Vitezslav Gebas (CZE)

C1 Women
Gold – Nuria Vilarrubla (ESP)
Silver – Miren Lazkano (ESP)
Bronze – Noemie Fox (AUS)

K1 Men
Gold – Vit Prindis (CZE)
Silver – Jakub Grigar (SVK)
Bronze – Peter Kauzer (SLO)

Slalom Cross

Men's CSLX
Gold – Vit Prindis (CZE)                         
Silver – Jaxon Merritt (AUS)                         
Bronze – Ondrej Tunka (CZE)     

Women's CSLX
Gold – Martina Wegman (NED)                         
Silver – Georgia Rankin(AUS)                         
Bronze – Sage Donnelly (USA)