Spain and Portugal made history after pulling off stunning performances to win the respective women’s and men’s kayak four 500m crowns for the first time at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Championships in Milan, Italy.
Both races went right down to the wire with a mere 0.05 seconds separating the top two in the men’s final as Portugal edged Hungary before Spain overcame China by just 0.10.
It has been a year to remember for the Portuguese quartet, backing up their European gold in June to clinch the world title.
Gustavo Goncalves, Joao Ribeiro, Messias Baptista, and Pedro Casinha continued their flying form from Racice as they surged ahead.
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Hungary pushed them all the way, but it was Portugal that found that edge in a tight finish, triumphing in 1:18.93.
Mark Opavszky, Bence Fodor, Gergely Balogh, and Zsombor Akos Tamasi had to settle for silver in 1:18.98 before Spain’s Adrian Del Rio, Alex Graneri, Carlos Arevalo, and Rodrigo Germade earned bronze in 1:19.33.
There was to be no medal for reigning world and Olympic champions Germany as they came fourth in 1:19.57.
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In the women’s K4, the Spanish team of Sara Ouzande, Lucia Val, Estefania Fernandez, and Barbara Pardo stole the show with a historic victory.
It was an absorbing battle as Spain, China, Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), and New Zealand went head-to-head.
Just 0.40 separated the top four, with Spain crossing in 1:32.58, getting the better of China’s Dongyin Li, Shimeng Yu, Nan Wang, and Ji Wang, who finished in 1:32.68.
AIN paddlers Marharyta Tkachova, Uladzislava Skryhanava, Ina Sauchek, and Nadzeya Kushner clinched bronze in 1:32.80.
New Zealand was boosted by the late entry of eight-time Olympic champion Lisa Carrington, who replaced the injured Olivia Brett.
Carrington had delayed her holiday plans to Tahiti to compete in Milan, having opted to skip the international season.
But the 36-year-old was unable to inspire New Zealand to a podium place as they finished fourth.
Ukraine’s Luidmyla Luzan began her bid for a double gold in Milan by teaming up with Iryna Fedoriv in the women’s canoe double 500m to win in 1:53.30.
Luzan, who is also challenging for the women’s canoe single 200m crown, looked unstoppable alongside Fedrovic.
They proved too strong over the final 50m to win in 1:53.30 as Canada’s Zoe Wojtyk and Katie Vincent came second in 1:54.36.
The bronze medal went to Spain’s European champions, Angels Moreno and Viktoriia Yarchevska.
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