Slovenia’s Ziga Lin Hocevar rounded off a dream weekend with victory in the men’s kayak cross on the final day of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Tacen.
The 18-year-old rising star cruised to the title on Sunday as he completed a golden double on home waters, adding to his success in the men’s canoe on Saturday.
Click here for live startlists and results from Tacen
It capped an incredible three days for his family as his elder sister Eva Alina Hocevar clinched the women’s kayak crown on Friday.
There was also joy for Switzerland’s Alena Marx who triumphed in the women’s kayak cross on Sunday.
Other gold medal winners on the final day of competition went to France’s Camille Prigent and Great Britain’s Sam Leaver who won the respective women’s and men’s kayak cross individual titles.
It was an emotional day for the Slovenian canoeing community following the loss of Dusan Konda who dedicated his life to the sport and helped pave the way for generations of paddlers.
Hocevar paid tribute to Konda for playing a key role in his development.
“It’s a dream weekend for me, it’s what I have been working for and it’s finally paid off,” said Hocevar.
“The race was really hard.
“Today, we received really bad news.
“We lost Dusan Konda who was by far one of the best people in this sport in Slovenia.
“I am sure he was the first that really believed in me, so it is really sad that he is not with us anymore.”
As soon as Hocevar navigated the first gate in pole position, there was no stopping the Slovenian who cruised to victory.
France’s Joris Hello marked his World Cup debut with silver, while reigning world champion Joseph Clarke of Great Britain overcame Spain’s David Llorente to secure bronze.
Marx overcame the disappointment of a poor showing in the women’s kayak cross individual to clinch gold in the women’s kayak cross.
Great Britain’s Kimberley Woods was the first to the opening gate as she battled with France’s Angele Hug for the early ascendancy.
While the two paddlers wrestled at the first upstream gate, Marx surged ahead and Ukraine’s Viktoriia Us followed.
Marx powered to gold with Us clinching silver and reigning world champion Hug bagging bronze.
“I’m really happy with my race,” said Marx.
“I had a tough time trial, which didn’t go so well, but I was just happy to get through to another round, and now I want to push on from there.
“It’s incredible.”
Prigent and Leaver picked up from where they left off last season with statement performances in the respective women’s and men’s kayak cross individual.
The two reigning overall World Cup winners in the event proved too strong on Slovenian waters after producing blistering times.
Prigent clocked a time of 56.06 to win by almost three seconds from compatriot Hug who finished in 58.79 for silver.
The bronze medal went to Woods who crossed the line in 59.16.
Leaver was the World Cup Series champion in the men’s kayak cross individual courtesy of his consistent performances last season.
But this was Leaver’s World Cup triumph in the event as he sealed gold in 50.96.
France’s Mathurin Madore posted 51.94 for silver, while Czechia’s Jakub Krejci earned bronze in 52.08.
WOMEN’S KAYAK CROSS
- MARX Alena (SUI)
- US Viktoriia (UKR)
- HUG Angele (FRA)
MEN’S KAYAK CROSS
- HOCEVAR Ziga Lin (SLO)
- HELLO Joris (FRA)
- CLARKE Joseph (GBR)
WOMEN’S KAYAK CROSS INDIVIDUAL
- PRIGENT Camille (FRA)
- HUG Angele (FRA)
- WOODS Kimberley (GBR)
MEN’S KAYAK CROSS INDIVIDUAL
- LEAVER Sam (GBR)
- MADORE Mathurin (FRA)
- KREJCI Jakub (CZE)
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