Mallory Franklin and Jonny Dickson clinched the kayak cross titles as Great Britain dominated the final day of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Ivrea.
Four of the six kayak cross medals on offer on Sunday were snapped up by British paddlers with Franklin and Dickson emerging victorious.
There was a British one-two in the women’s kayak cross final as Franklin got the better of reigning world champion Kimberley Woods, while Australia’s Olympic gold medallist Noemie Fox took bronze.
Three of the four competitors in the men’s kayak cross final were from Great Britain.
France’s Gael Adisson tried to spoil the party only to be overtaken by Dickson as he had to settle for silver.
Sam Leaver was the other Brit on the podium as he bagged bronze, nudging fellow countryman and three-time world champion Joseph Clarke out of the medal positions.
“It shows how well we are training at home and how good our facilities are at Lee Valley,” said Dickson.
“We had held the World Championships last year and we had two world champions in kayak cross and then two medals at the Olympics (with Woods and Clarke) as well.
“Although they are individual medals for those guys, that comes from a collaboration of the whole team and staff and having a good ramp set up and gates so we can train well.”
Looking to deny Great Britain a one-two-three in the men’s final, Adisson got off to a flying start.
Adisson looked in control only to be stopped in his tracks by Leaver, allowing Dickson to move in front after choosing to take the other upstream gate.
Dickson forged ahead to take the title as Addison picked up silver and Leaver clinched bronze.
“I’m really happy,” said Dickson.
“I knew it was going to be a really hard final with Joe being a world champion and Sam and Gael being both under 23 world champions.
“I know how good the British boys are so I definitely felt like I was the least likely to win up there but anything can happen in kayak cross.
“I dealt really well all the way down and made good decisions.”
All three British paddlers opted not to compete in slalom and instead focused all their efforts on kayak cross.
The decision paid off for Dickson who clinched his first World Cup title with victory in the event that made its Olympic debut in Paris.
“I was only racing kayak cross here which is a bit different for me,” said Dickson.
“Ivrea is a course that I have spent a lot of time at so I was really looking forward to racing on it.
“I was really focused on this race because it was the only opportunity I had in the whole competition.
“It is a good to say that I now have (World Cup) medals in slalom and kayak cross and I think that is a good position to be in especially with the way we selected for the Olympics this time.
“I have got to keep progressing in both and keep pushing forward.”
There was also joy for Franklin who came out on top in a thrilling duel with British teammate Woods.
The first upstream gate proved pivotal as Franklin managed to overtake Woods before powering to victory.
Fox claimed bronze in what was the first World Cup since she won Olympic gold in kayak cross in Paris.
“It is really cool that both myself and Kimberley were in the final and for us to come out with a one-two is another level,” said Franklin.
“I have been really building with my kayak cross this year and each race I have been taking a step forward so it is quite nice to take that top step in one of the final races of the year.
“We are a strong nation in kayak cross and we enjoy it.”
For the results and competition schedule, click here.
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