Poland’s Zofia Tula broke the 1,000-point mark to secure women’s kayak surface gold on the final day of the first of two International Canoe Federation Canoe Freestyle World Cups in Plattling, Germany.
The Polish paddler pulled off a stunning second-round score of 1006.67 points that put her in pole position.
Britain’s Ottilie Robinson-Shaw had added women’s canoe decked surface gold to the women’s squirt title she won yesterday.
Robinson-Shaw was seeking to complete a hat-trick of titles but fell short of Tula’s total in the women’s kayak surface final, scoring 883.33 for silver, while Germany’s Merle Hauser scored 815.00 for bronze.
“I am really happy that I broke 1,000 as I had not done it in an ICF event before,” said Tula.
“I was focused on myself and putting together a good score.
“I was a little bit nervous in the previous rounds where you can fall out of the competition but in the final I was relaxed and could do a big score.”
Although disappointed to miss out on the women’s kayak surface title, Robinson-Shaw was proud to leave the event with two golds.
Earlier in the day, Robinson-Shaw scored 806.67 to take the women’s canoe decked surface crown, sweeping aside the rest of the field.
Germany’s Anica Schacher claimed silver with 416.67, while the bronze went to Japan’s Hitomi Takaku who notched 250.00.
“I'm really proud of my squirt paddling and my C1,” said Robinson-Shaw.
“I’m a little bit disappointed with my K1 as I laid down a really high score in the semi-finals but couldn’t do it in the final.
“But I have to take a step back and remember that five and a half months ago I was having shoulder surgery.
“To be here and even competing, getting the silver medal is incredible as the standard in ladies paddling has gone through the roof.”
Landon Miller of the United States also finished the event with two titles to his name after backing up his success in the open surface canoe by winning the men’s canoe decked surface gold.
Miller triumphed with a score of 1225.00, beating France’s Tom Dolle and Germany’s Sebastian Kurt Rudolf Nelle who finished on 821.67 and 746.67 respectively to complete the podium.
“I had set the ICF record for C1 in the semi-finals (with a score of 1336.67) so I really wanted to beat that record in the final,” said Miller.
“I am stoked that I won but also a little bit disappointed that I was not able to do that.
“That record has been there for about seven years so it is awesome to finally beat it. I linked some tricks that I had never done in a competition so to do them at a stage like this is amazing.”
There was further joy for Great Britain in the men’s kayak surface final as Harry Price emerged victorious.
Price registered a score of 1396.67 to come out on top, pushing first-round leader Tom Dolle of France, who tottaled 1303.33 into second position.
Poland’s Tomasz Czaplicki saved his best until last, scoring 1220.00 in the final round to take bronze.
“I am really happy to be in a final with so many great competitors and such a great location as well,” said Price.
“I’m really excited about the World Championships here next year.”
The second ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup in Plattling will run from May 30 to June 1.
For all the results from today’s races, click here.
Full coverage of the events in Plattling can be viewed on the ICF’s Premium YouTube channel
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