There was no repeat of the record-breaking performances of earlier in the week, although Dane Jackson went oh-so-close on his way to his third C1 ICF freestyle world title in San Juan, Argentina, on Saturday.

Jackson, who is chasing another C1/K1 world championship double, posted 1210 with his first ride, a score that stood the test of time for the rest of the final. France’s Sebastien Devred with 1100 finished second, and Czech Lukas Cervinka the bronze with 980.

In the preliminary round Jackson set a new ICF high-score in the men’s C1 with 1093.33, and then bettered that mark again with 1236.67 in Friday’s semi-final.

“One down, one to go, and fired up to take the win in one of the most stacked C1 finals I’ve ever been in,” Jackson said.

“Definitely I’m really fired up to get another 1200, and an 1100, pretty to have all three over 1000. I was happy to break into 1300, but it couldn’t happen today.”

Jackson came into Saturday favourite to win both finals, and said he doesn’t really focus on either event in the lead-up.

“I pretty much go into it knowing I’m already in the top five, just fired up and trying to paddle the best I can,” he said.

“It’s definitely going to give me a burst of energy, I’m hoping to paddle well tonight.”

Jackson won his first C1 gold medal in 2011, had to settle for bronze in 2013, but then regained his title two years ago in Canada.

Pic by Peter Holcombe