American Fiona Wylde and New Caledonian Noic Garioud both picked up their second gold medals for the weekend as the Internartional Canoe Federation’s Stand Up Paddling world championships came to an end in Balatonfured, Hungary, on Sunday.
Wylde added the women’s technical world title to the long distance crown she won on Friday. Wylde won bronze in both events at the 2019 ICF world championships in China.
Garioud won the men’s technical race, one day after also winning the men’s sprint title. He also picked up the silver medal in the men’s distance final to make him the most successful elite athlete of the championships.
Wylde made her decisive move on the first turn, breaking away to build a lead that could not be hauled in by Spain’s Esperanza Barreras or fellow American April Zilg.
“It’s incredible, I can’t believe I just won two world titles in three days,” Wylde said.
“I was so nervous for this race, probably the most nervous I have ever been because it is so short. I’m still shaking.
“I really really wanted to do it. After Covid we have all gone through our difficulties, trying to figure out what we’re doing. I decided I really wanted to do this and I really wanted to win another world title – and I won two! This is complete icing on the cake.”
19-year-old Garioud was the star of the weekend, his blistering pace proving the difference in the sprint and the technical races. In Sunday’s final he sat behind defending world champion Connor Baxter of the USA, before making his run heading to the final turn.
“When I first started the race I was hoping for a podium, but definitely not a gold medal,” Garioud said.
“And yet, here I am. I just can’t believe it. I did not ever think I could win two gold medals and one silver, not in three races on the same week. I will never follow that.
“Connor left the start line pretty fast, so I just tried to stay with him. At the sixth buoy I started to push myself and got past him. I think he was pretty tired after his start.
Baxter picked up his second silver medal of the week, while Peru’s Itzel Delgado finished third.
The ICF has announced next year’s SUP world championships will be held in Gdynia, Poland.
RESULTS
TECHNICAL OPEN WOMEN
- WYLDE Fiona (USA) 5.34:55
- BARRERAS Esperanza (ESP) 5.43:66
- ZILG April (USA) 5.49:71
TECHNICAL OPEN MEN
- GARIOUD Noic (FNC) 4.46:15
- BAXTER Connor (USA) 4.57:98
- DELGADO Itzel (PER) 5.02:34
TECHNICAL 50+ WOMEN
- HATAMI Diva (ISR) 6.20:24
- PYFFRADER Petra (AUT) 6.23:33
- CANUDAS Silvia (ESP) 6.24:71
TECHNICAL 50+ MEN
- PARRES Daniel (ESP) 5.15:09
- FORASTER Marc (ESP) 5.32:36
- WEISNER Gerd (ESP) 5.45:26
TECHNICAL 40+ WOMEN
- LIER Susanne (GER) 5.58:70
- RASZTOTZKY Eszter (HUN) 6.04:51
- KAMMERER Andrea (GER) 6.14:39
TECHNICAL 40+ MEN
- MORA Salvador (ESP) 5.13:75
- WEIDERT Peter (GER) 5.14:76
- TEICHMAN Martin (GER) 5.22:88
TECHNICAL JUNIOR WOMEN
- GORDILLO Duna (ESP) 6.04:27
- SOBERBIO Aida (ESP) 6.12:54
- CAIMARI Sonia (ESP) 6.19:08
TECHNICAL JUNIOR MEN
- SIMONCELLI Lucas (ESP) 5.32:52
- SANCHEZ Aaron (ESP) 5.34:12
- HOYUELA Manuel (ESP) 5.39:18
Pics by Dezso Vekassy
