Home favourite Jakub Krejci topped a Czech one-two to secure his second gold of a sensational weekend at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague.
After clinching his first World Cup title of his career with victory in the men’s kayak on Friday, Krejci delivered more joy to the home crowd on the final day of competition.
Krejci overcame compatriot Vit Prindis to seal his first men’s kayak cross gold, while France’s Camille Prigent emerged victorious in the women’s kayak cross on Sunday.
Click here for live startlists and results from Prague
As soon as Krejci splashed down on the water in first position, there was no looking back for the Czech star.
Roared on by the home fans, Krejci pulled clear for an emphatic victory before Prindis took silver and France’s Mathurin Madore overcame Slovenia’s Ziga Lin Hocevar for bronze.
“It’s crazy to have my first two wins in these Olympic events at home,” said Krejci.
“I knew that it would be really important to have a fast start, so I was focused on that and I was just having fun. That’s the key.
“I don’t know how I can describe this, it feels amazing to do this in front of the crowd and know that after the last upstream with 100m to go that I will finish first.”
There was also no stopping Prigent who powered to victory in Prague, while the others battled for silver and bronze.
Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska clinched silver, with Germany’s Richard Funk getting the better of Evy Leibfarth of the United States for bronze.
“It’s my first win in head-to-head,” said Prigent.
“I have won the time trial before but never the fights so I am very happy with this gold.
“You always have to adapt to whatever is happening out there.
“Today, I had four runs that were super different from each other so it’s just about staying calm and maybe this time I was more aggressive so when I saw a little bit of space I thought I would nail this before the girls come and that helped me for sure.”
Italy’s Giovanni De Gennaro edged Great Britain’s Joseph Clarke by 0.11 to seal the men’s kayak cross individual title.
De Gennaro is the godfather of Clarke’s daughter Daisy who celebrated her first birthday by receiving the two medals as presents.
“It’s a beautiful occasion (with Joe and his family),” said De Gennaro who won in a time of 63.56.
“We had a good dinner yesterday and I got her a present today.
“I think we will remember this day because myself and Joe had a podium together and it will be a good story to tell in the future.”
Clarke secured silver in 63.67, with Germany’s Marten Konrad bagging bronze in 64.08.
The other gold medal winner on the final day was Czechia’s Katerina Bekova who captured the women’s kayak cross individual crown in 67.72.
Funk missed out on the title by 0.07 as she crossed the finish line in 67.79, while France’s Marjorie Delassus clocked 68.70 for bronze.
“I am so speechless, it’s crazy,” said Bekova.
“I didn’t think it would be enough for winning as the first part wasn’t as fast but the two upstreams were pretty good which got me the gold medal.”
Men’s Kayak Cross
1. KREJCI Jakub (CZE)
2. PRINDIS Vit (CZE)
3. MADORE Mathurin (FRA)
Women’s Kayak Cross
1. PRIGENT Camille (FRA)
2. ZWOLINSKA Klaudia (POL)
3. FUNK Ricarda (GER)
Men’s Kayak Cross Individual
1. DE GENNARO Giovanni (ITA) 63.56
2. CLARKE Joseph (GBR) +0.11
3. KONRAD Marten (GER) +0.52
Women’s Kayak Cross Individual
1. BEKOVA Katerina (CZE) 67.72
2. FUNK Ricarda (GER) +0.07
3. DELASSUS Marjorie (FRA) +0.98
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