Two of the biggest names in modern-day canoe slalom paddling reminded everyone of their class with emphatic wins at the International Canoe Federation world cup in Prague on Friday.
Olympic gold medalist Jiri Prskavec and three-time world champion Jessica Fox turned on a show for a big crowd at Prague’s Troja venue to take gold in the men’s and women’s K1 finals. Prskavec ensured a gold and silver finish for the Czech host nation with a withering error-free final run of 89.67, the only athlete to go under 90 seconds.
“It’s awesome, I’m really happy about what I did here and about my run,” Prskavec said.
“The crowd was really cheering hard, and making me really nervous about my run in the final which is always super nice. It is extra pressure, and also it was raining today and so many people showed up. This is a gift for them as well, a gold and silver medal.”
Czech teammate and reigning world champion Vit Prindis took the silver, while Italy’s Giovanni De Gennaro followed up his gold medal from Augsburg one week ago with bronze.
Fox, who has an Olympic silver and two bronze in women’s K1, showed she is in some of the best form of her career by posting a time of 98.95. The Australian was the only female paddler to go under 100 seconds.
“It was really special, I love racing in Prague, the atmosphere is like nowhere else and I was feeling really good this week,” Fox said.
“I won the heats, I won the semis, so I thought to go out and put down a run to be proud of, to try and attack it, and it turned out pretty well. I really challenged myself to push the limits.
“I thought I could go under 100. There are so many moves on that course that are really tricky, and a lot of things had to go to plan for me to go under 100. Last week I was really frustrated not to make the final after making a silly mistake, so I really wanted to put down some good paddling.”
Germany’s Olympic gold medalist, Ricarda Funk, had a two second penalty for a gate touch, but was 4.63 seconds behind Fox, while Great Britain’s Mallory Franklin celebrated her first outing for the international season with bronze.
For the second consecutive week unheralded Frenchman Lucas Roisin posted the fastest qualifying time in the men’s C1 at an International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup.
It was a good morning for the French team, with Marjorie Delassus showing a welcome return to form with the quickest time in the women’s C1. Both medals will be decided on Saturday.
RESULTS
WOMEN’S K1
- FOX Jessica (AUS) 95 (0 seconds penalties)
- FUNK Ricarda (GER) 103.58 (2)
- FRANKLIN Mallory (GBR) 104.90 (2)
MEN’S K1
- PRSKAVEC Jiri (CZE) 89.67 (0)
- PRINDIS Vit (CZE) 90.55 (0)
- DE GENNARO Giovanni (ITA) 90.82 (0)
Pics by Bence Vekassy
