Reigning world champions Joseph Clarke and Jessica Fox will take winning form into the Paris Olympics after both paddlers tamed an unruly Krakow course to take the titles at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup on Friday.
Great Britain’s Clarke, who won Olympic gold at Rio 2016, was just able to edge out Czech Vit Prindis in the men’s K1 final to arrest a form slump which had seen him fail to make a podium at the opening two World Cups of the season.
Australian Fox, a four-time world champion and Olympic silver and two-time bronze medallist in the women’s K1, won her first kayak gold of the season by finishing just ahead of Rio 2016 champion Maialen Chourraut of Spain.
“I’m really happy, it was such a hard race,” Fox said.
“I’m just happy I was able to put down two good runs, that was my goal here, but it was a hard course which was super tough.”
American Ria Sribar enjoyed her best international result by finishing third behind Fox and Chourraut.
Clarke has had a frustrating start to the 2024 season, but his big focus is getting back on the Olympic podium after missing selection for the Tokyo Games. He also revealed he had gone into Friday’s races carrying an injury.
“I’m very happy, especially because during cross training I pulled a muscle in my neck, so I didn’t even know for sure I was going to race today,” Clarke said.
“I’ve got a lot of tape on my neck, but I love racing at this place, I’ve had a lot of great results.
“I’ve had a disappointing season so far in slalom, so it’s good to go into the Olympics in winning form.”
Prindis finished a close second, with fellow Czech Jakub Krejci taking bronze.
Saturday will see semi-finals and finals in both the men’s and women’s canoe competition.
RESULTS
WOMEN’S KAYAK
- FOX Jessica (AUS) 93.49 (0 seconds penalties)
- CHOURRAUT Maialen (ESP) 94.24 (0)
- SRIBAR Ria (USA) 99.03 (0)
MEN’S KAYAK
- CLARKE Joseph (GBR) 85.33 (0)
- PRINDIS Vit (CZE) 85.86 (0)
- KREJCI Jakub (CZE) 86.34 (0)
For all the results from today's competition, click here.
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