Olympic champion Nicolas Gestin led France to a second successive men’s canoe teams title after overcoming Great Britain at the 2025 International Canoe Federation Slalom World Championships in Sydney, Australia.
The Czech women’s C1 team were also crowned world champions after an impressive display at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
France have been the dominant force in the men’s canoe this season, with Gestin backing up his stunning victory at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris by capturing the overall title in the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series.
The 25-year-old added another world gold to his glittering collection, when he combined with Mewen Debliquy and Yohann Senechault to seal top spot in the men’s C1 teams.
Click here for live startlists and results from Sydney
Great Britain put pressure on the French trio when Adam Burgess, Ryan Westley and Luc Royle registered a time of 100.76 to temporarily move in front.
But they had to settle for silver as the French team broke the 100-second mark, finishing in 99.97 for gold.
“It feels good for sure,” said Gestin.
“After 2023, I feel like this proved to everyone the French team has great density. It’s pretty great to do it today.
“The course looks good, it’s my second time here, the last time was six years ago. We are happy to be part of it.
“For me it is more like an individual race and now we have to change the mentality but today was a good one.”
The result could have been different had Slovenia not picked up a two-second penalty.
Benjamin Savsek, Luka Bozic and Ziga Lin Hocevar had the quickest raw time, but the gate touch cost them, clocking 100.86 for bronze.
Czechia won the women’s C1 teams title in 2021 and 2022 before losing out to Great Britain in 2023.
But they were back on top in Sydney with Gabriela Satkova, Martina Satkova and Adriana Morenova triumphing by more than three and a half seconds.
The Satkova sisters and Morenova stormed to the title in 109.57, beating Germany’s Andrea Herzog, Elena Lilik and Nele Bayn who posted 112.93 for silver.
Defending champions Great Britain picked up bronze after Ellis Miller, Kimberley Woods and Bethan Forrow crossed the finish line in 115.61.
“It feels incredible because it's a World Championships,” said Martina Satkova.
“We are so happy and proud of ourselves that we made it and here in Sydney, it's so special.
“I think it's the best course ever - it's the home of Jessica Fox and Noemie Fox. We think it's nice to win here.”
Results
Men’s Canoe Teams
- France 99.97
- Great Britain +0.79
- Slovenia +0.89 (2 second penalty)
Women’s Canoe Teams
- Czechia 109.57
- Germany +3.36
- Great Britain +6.04 (2)
Competition also got underway in the men’s and women’s canoe single with the top 30 advancing to the semi-finals.
Czechia’s Adam Kral registered the quickest time in the heats, finishing in 93.56, while Poland’s Kacper Sztub came second in 94.11 and Spain’s Miquel Trave qualified in three with 94.24.
“I felt good on the water from the start, so everything went well,” said Kral.
“I wasn’t expecting to come first.
“It gives me a little bit of confidence.
“We will see if it’s a good thing or a bad things starting from the last position in the semi-finals. It will be tough, but we will see.”
In the women’s heats, Spain’s Nuria Vilarrubla came down the course the fastest in 101.83. Great Britain’s Woods posted 102.10 for second and France’s Doriane Delassus crossed in 103.63.
There were also good times from the likes of Germany’s Herzog, Slovakia’s Zuzana Pankova and Czechia’s Gabriela Satkova.
“I am happy with the result,” said Vilarrubla.
“I made a small mistake in the bottom section, but I was focused on that run and I’m happy.
“I am feeling good on the water. I hope to give my best and we will see.”
Full coverage of the ICF Slalom World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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