Australia’s Jessica Fox notched up the 50th individual gold medal of her International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup career with a dominant victory in the women’s C1 final in Krakow on Saturday.
It's also the ninth time Fox has won both the kayak and canoe titles at a single World Cup.
In the men’s final, France’s Jules Bernardet celebrated his first World Cup of the year with an incredible gold medal.
Fox won her first World Cup title back in 2010, and on Saturday registered her 50th.
This win came despite a two-second penalty for a gate touch.
Fox said she went into the race not certain if she would be able to show her best.
“I felt really tired and flat today, so I’m just happy I was able to step up when I needed to,” Fox said.
“It’s been a great weekend, I’m really pleased to have been able to finish off with this win.
“It was really important for me to refocus after yesterday’s win, there are so many challenges on this course.”
Fox won her first canoe and kayak double back in 2013 in Tacen, Slovenia. This weekend is the second time she has won both in Krakow.
Brazil’s Ana Satila will go to Paris confident of her form after taking silver.
“I feel so tired after half a season, so I’m really excited with this run,” Satila said.
“The course is so challenging physically.”
Czech Martina Satkova took the bronze.
Such is the overall strength of the French slalom team that many of the world’s best paddlers can struggle to get opportunities to compete at the top level.
Such was the case for Jules Bernardet, who finally got his opportunity this weekend and responded with the best run of the day, and a gold medal.
“I’ve prepared so hard for this World Cup, because it’s my first one for the year, so I’m so happy that I was able to make a good result,” he said.
Slovakia’s Matej Benus will head to Paris feeling he is ready to return to the podium after returning his best result of the season so far by finishing second.
“It’s the first time I’ve had a good run this year,” the Rio Olympic silver medalist said.
“It was pretty tiring, you have to paddle hard, but I’m very happy with this result in my last competition before the Olympics.”
Great Britain’s Ryan Westley finished third.
Sunday will see the finals in the men’s and women’s kayak cross, the last day of World Cup racing before the Paris Olympics.
RESULTS
WOMEN’S CANOE
- FOX Jessica (AUS) 102.71 (2 seconds in penalties)
- SATILA Ana (BRA) 105.99 (0)
- SATKOVA Martina (CZE) 110.35 (0)
MEN’S CANOE
- BERNARDET Jules (FRA) 91.12 (0)
- BENUS Matej (SVK) 93.39 (0)
- WESTLEY Ryan (GBR) 93.94 (0)
For all the results from today's competition, click here.
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