France’s Angele Hug and Spain’s Manuel Ochoa both won kayak cross gold on the final day of the International Canoe Federation world cup in Prague, but both now face a nervous wait to learn if they will get to compete at the Paris Olympics.
Three kayak cross Games quotas were up for grabs in both the men’s and the women’s competition on Sunday, with Spain, Germany and France earning the men’s tickets, and France, Australia and Great Britain taking the top three spots in the women’s event.
The only certain Olympic starter from the six athletes who earned quotas on Sunday is Australia’s Noemie Fox, who is set to join her sister Jessica in Paris.
Hug’s win was not without controversy, with Czech paddler Tereza Kneblova crossing the finish line first, before being handed a late penalty for missing a gate. The decision dropped Kneblova from first to fourth and potentially out of an Olympic quota.
Hug’s Olympic fate is now in the hands of the French selectors.
“It’s a huge pleasure, I really wanted to perform well in kayak cross because I love this sport, and it maybe means, I’m not sure yet because we have to wait a decision, but maybe the Olympics,” Hug said.
“We have to wait for the Federation to decide who is the best boat to take to the Olympics. I felt really good today, it was amazing with all the team cheering for us. After the first heats I was really nervous, and told myself to calm down.
“I would be so proud to be there (in Paris), all my family is there, all the French team, and it means a lot for me to compete at home. Even if someone else goes, it will be a pleasure to support them.”
Fox said getting the chance to compete for Australia at the Olympics will be a dream come true.
“It’s been a long road to get here, and to be on the podium today,” Fox said.
“It’s been like eight months that I’ve been dreaming about this day every day, and visualising it, and really being so motivated to get to this race and be in the best physical and mental possible state, I’m just so proud of myself.”
Great Britain’s Nikita Setchell finished third, and by doing so have an Olympic quota on offer. But if they accept it, it will mean either Kimberley Woods or Mallory Franklin will sit out the event in Paris.
If Great Britain decide not to accept the ticket, it will be allocated to the Czechia.
The Spanish Federation also face a difficult choice, after Manuel Ochoa took the gold in the men’s kayak cross final.
“I feel very happy, speechless actually, after many months of work to get the Olympic spot for my country, and to take the gold medal is an awesome feeling,” Ochoa said.
“I’m so grateful for that. I felt very nervous, it was a very long race.
“I would love to go to the Olympics, but we have a strong team in kayak cross so we will have a decision soon. It will be a technical decision, but whatever the decision is, it will be fair. We have one more world cup in Krakow, so maybe we will fight there.”
Germany’s Tillman Roeller was the surprise paddler of the day, winning silver at his first ever world cup and earning a Paris quota for his country. Who will get to compete for Germany will be decided at next weekend’s world cup in Krakow.
The French Federation also has a difficult decision to make for the men, with Boris Neveu finishing third and earning a quota. Competition for the final spot on the host nation slalom team has been intense.
RESULTS
WOMEN KAYAK CROSS
- HUG Angele (FRA)
- FOX Noemie (AUS)
- SETCHELL Nikita (GBR)
MEN’S KAYAK CROSS
- OCHOA Manuel (ESP)
- ROELLER Tillmann (GER)
- NEVEU Boris (FRA)
Pics by Dezso Vekassy
