A day of high drama in the rain in Augsburg saw two first-time winners crowned as the 2024 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup season got underway.
French paddler Camille Prigent delivered one of the best K1 runs of her career to snatch gold in the women’s final, while a late 50-second penalty delivered gold to Austrian Felix Oschmautz in the men’s K1 final.
Prigent had already shown she was in top form by setting the fastest qualifying time in the semi-finals, but faced a big challenge in the final when the reigning Olympic gold medalist, Germany’s Ricarda Funk, posted the fastest time of the day.
But Prigent withstood the pressure to post an error-free run in a time just point zero four of a second quicker than Funk.
“I’m super happy to have won my first World Cup gold, but I felt really nervous,” Prigent said.
“I just wanted to have a solid run, the results didn’t really matter. I was thinking my semi-final was really solid, so if I could do that again I would go close.”
A gate touch and two second penalty robbed Funk of the gold, while Brazil’s Ana Satila finished third. Australia’s reigning world champion, Jessica Fox, missed a gate and had to paddle back to correct her mistake, before eventually finishing ninth.
The men’s final was riddled with mistakes, with only one paddler able to complete the course without penalties.
There was high drama when the final paddler on the course, Italian Giovanni de Gennaro, posted the quickest run, only to be handed a late 50 second penalty for missing a gate.
It left Oschmautz in the gold medal position.
“This is a bit awkward,” Oschmautz said.
“But I’m super happy to win my first world cup gold. I have lots of other medals from different events, but this is my first senior world cup gold.”
New Zealand’s Finn Butcher, who was the first paddler on the course, watched on as every other paddler ran into trouble. He eventually finished second, with veteran Peter Kauzer of Slovenia taking bronze.
The men’s and women’s canoe finals will be held on Saturday.
RESULTS
WOMEN’S KAYAK
- PRIGENT Camille (FRA) 106.41 (0 seconds in penalties)
- FUNK Ricarda (GER) 106.45 (2)
- SATILA Ana (BRA) 108.79 (0)
MEN’S KAYAK
- OSCHMAUTZ Felix (AUT) 101.66 (2)
- BUTCHER Finn (NZL) 102.26 (2)
- KAUZER Peter (SLO) 102.69 (2)
For all the results from today's races, click here.
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