It was an action-packed final day of racing as four different nations came away with gold medals at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Augsburg, Germany.
Czechia’s Tereza Kneblova and Great Britain’s Joseph Clarke captured the respective women’s and men’s kayak cross crowns.
Germany’s Ricarda Funk won her second gold of the weekend with victory in the women’s kayak cross individual.
Click here for live startlists and results from Augsburg
There was also a gold for Spain as Manuel Ochoa claimed the men’s kayak cross individual title.
Evy Leibfarth of United States came away with two medals, while Switzerland’s Alena Marx, Spain’s David Llorente, Belgium’s Gabriel De Coster, Individual Neutral Athlete Egor Smirnov, and Italy’s Giovanni De Gennaro were the other medallists.
Here’s what the medallists had to say after a brilliant closing day of racing.
Women’s Kayak Cross
Tereza Kneblova (CZE – gold)
I’m really glad today. I was able to find a good way on the start. I think I put us in a good position. And then I was able to be first in the first gate, and I think that was the key. I’m glad that I finished like that - it was like a dream. It was all about rushing to the first gate and trying to push everyone else to the right side. So I think I’ve done it well, and it was enough for a little bit, so I’m really happy with this.”
Evy Leibfarth (USA - gold)
"I'm feeling really excited. I feel like I was able to put away some feelings of doubt this weekend and just really give it my all. I think it's always good to race when you feel free and you're just going for it, so I was really happy that I was able to do that. It feels great. The time trial and the head-to-head are such different sports, so I'm really happy that I was able to fight through all the rounds. The girls out here are incredible. The competition is so high level. I'm really stoked to be on the podium with these amazing athletes."
Alena Marx (SUI - bronze)
"I'm really happy about today. It was crazy. So many things happened, it was like big chaos, and I just tried to get the best out of the situation and fight."
Men’s Kayak Cross
Joseph Clarke (GBR – gold)
“I'm really, really happy. Obviously we've got a small break now before the World Championships. It’s great to finish these three World Cups on such a high. It was a really tough race. My first round was one of my toughest, most of the paddles were taken away from me and I was having to fight back. But then the final, myself versus Ben (Haylett), off the start, we were both kind of neck and neck and fighting, and unfortunately, when I crossed the finish line, I thought we'd got the one-two, but then obviously turned out that Ben had a fault, which was unfortunate, because it would be nothing bad to share the podium with him. But I love it here. It was my first World Cup medal in slalom 12 years ago. It’s so nice to be back after a little break. It makes it exciting. It was great racing and to finish with the gold is fantastic.”
David Llorente (ESP - silver)
"I feel very tired. This course is super, super hard, and doing rounds and rounds when you finish, you feel the lactic in your head. But I'm happy with how it ended up. I'm happy to finish this first part of the season, have some rest, and we'll see for the second part that is the one that really counts. It's kind of close, and every year it's more and more tight. I lost the medal in the time trial by 0.02, it's like nothing. But at the same time, I know I had a good run. The head-to-head is totally different, so I had to change my mindset and adapt all the time because you never know what's going to happen once you jump in. Luckily today I was second.”
Gabriel De Coster (BEL - bronze)
“I feel really good. It was a tough race. I’m very happy. I always want to be in a good position to fight, and make it through to the final. It was a good fight out on the water, and it’s extra tough when you don’t get the first option of the lane, but it was good. I am happy.”
Women’s Kayak Cross Individual
Ricarda Funk (GER - gold)
"I'm super happy. It was a good run. I felt exhausted at the finish line, and the sprint to the finish was quite hard. But at the beginning, from the start, from the ramp, I felt quite good. I feel confident going into the rest of the day. It's quite challenging. You don't know what's going to happen in the elimination round. It's unpredictable, but I'm looking forward to it."
Tereza Kneblova (CZE - silver)
"It's a really good feeling. It's my first medal in kayak cross individual now, so I'm really glad that I was able to put out a good run. I think I'm making progress overall, so I'm really excited about this level, and I hope it's going to continue like this. I think it's really different. Kayak cross is a different discipline. It's really about fighting and you never know what will happen, so it's not the same. I'm really excited, but the next part of the day is a whole different chapter. So, we'll see what will come."
Evy Leibfarth (USA - bronze)
"I'm really happy. I mean, it's an amazing field of girls out here, so I'm really stoked to be out here pushing it. It's nice to know that I have the speed, but the heats are a totally different sport. So many things can happen, and it's so much about improvising. In your individual run you have a plan and you know exactly what strokes you're going to take and where, but in the head-to-head it changes every couple of seconds. I'm really stoked that I'm going to have a first pick on the ramp, and I'm going to see what I can do."
Men’s Kayak Cross Individual
Manual Ochoa (ESP - gold)
"I'm feeling very good. It's my second win in time trials, but it's the first one since I started winning medals, so I'm very happy. It also gives me a lot of confidence in my performances heading into the three selection races for the Olympics. So, I'm very happy with it. For me, race week is like a holiday. I only do two or three sessions during the week, I can sleep a bit more, and I just have to come and race. So, I arrive with full energy. The strategy for the heats is to be smart and try to manage things as well as possible. It's not easy because there are different strategies and possibilities. You just have to be yourself and manage the race as best you can.”
Egor Smirnov (AIN - silver)
“It’s an amazing feeling to get the medal today. I feel much more comfortable with this medal now. I will prepare for the next races, and I feel that I can fight in the next part of the competition. It’s great.”
Giovanni De Gennaro (ITA - bronze)
"I feel good. I'm very happy with my run. I had a solid run last week in time trials, and this week as well. I'm starting to really enjoy it. It feels great. One of my goals was to win two medals in a single weekend. I've never done that before, so I'm very happy."
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