A thrilling opening day of kayak cross action in Oklahoma City ended with gold medals for Great Britain’s Joseph Clarke and Australia’s Jessica Fox.
They both clocked the quickest time to win the kayak cross individual titles at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Click here for the live start lists and results from Oklahoma City
Lois Leaver also delivered a medal for Great Britain with bronze, while Czechia enjoyed podium success through Jakub Krejci and Katerina Bekova and Spain’s David Llorente came away with a bronze.
Here are what the medallists had to say after a fantastic Monday.
Men’s Kayak Cross Individual
Joseph Clarke (GBR – gold)
It’s great. Last year, I finished second in the time trial and was just pipped by David Llorente so it was nice to get one better and kick off with a gold. In the last couple of days, I have been a bit rough. I pulled my neck and not been great but I had to park that and get the job done. I did that exactly today so it almost feels sweeter. We had an early morning kayak cross slot, like 7.30am and I probably should have warmed up slightly more but decided to prioritise time in bed as it was so early but came back and it bit me in the arse. It is a lot better than it was two days ago. It is not 100 per cent but we are probably 80 per cent there. It is always in the back of the mind. I taped it up so it has allowed me to do what I needed to do but it’s nice to be 100 per cent coming into a World Championships. (Five kayak cross head-to-head titles in a row) is the dream. People are saying it is a formality now. We will see. That’s the aim. I’m going to take it one round at a time. All the guys are fast so we need to create that game plan to suit me and try to get out and do my thing.
Jakub Krejci (CZE – silver)
I feel great. I was really happy with my performance on the water. I felt really strong and that’s what I want from today to warm up before the rest of the week. The most important thing for me was to feel good on the water and not what I get from the race. The medal is just a bonus. It’s nice and it’s back to back podiums from the last year so it’s nice to share the podium with these guys.
David Llorente (ESP – bronze)
I feel so super happy. You know with kayak cross individual that it is super tight and to be on the podium again. For sure, I would have loved to have defended the title from last year but to be on the podium by 0.14 I am super happy and is the best way to start this Championships. I am happy for today but Saturday (for kayak cross head to head) is another day. It’s sport so anything can change. On Saturday, everyone will start from zero but at least I have this medal and tomorrow we will see.
Women’s Kayak Cross Individual
Jessica Fox (AUS – gold)
I am really happy to be on the podium and really pleased to put down a good run out there. When I crossed the finish line, I didn’t know whether it would be enough to win so to get on the podium is amazing. My start was okay, the first upstream probably wasn’t the fastest but I came into the roll really quickly. I was quite nervous about the roll as that is a technically challenging part of the course, but I managed to finish strong. I am happy with this and looking forward to the rest of the week.
Katerina Bekova (CZE – silver)
This is crazy. I can’t even describe it because I have never had a medal at a senior World Championships. I had never even started at a senior World Championships before so it’s crazy to start this with a medal. It’s incredible. I was so nervous this morning. I wasn’t even able to talk to anyone. I tried to talk to my boyfriend and that maybe made me feel a little bit less stressed but on the startline it’s so different so you cannot even describe how you feel.
Lois Leaver (GBR – bronze)
I’m really pleased. It is a long wait at the end there and with the two French coming, you just don’t know what is going to happen. I’m really pleased. It’s really cool to get my first senior World Championships medal and I think it’s a great start to the week’s racing. I didn’t expect to be here. I wanted to go out and just have a smooth start to the week, it’s really nice. I’m so pleased for Joe. He’s had a rough few days so it’s really special for both of us.
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