Australia’s Jessica Fox completed a kayak-canoe double, while France’s Nicolas Gestin returned to the top of the podium on a gripping day of racing at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague, Czechia.
The challenging Troja course delivered plenty of drama as many of the best paddlers in the world were unable to escape mistakes.
Click here for live startlists and results from Prague
But Fox and Gestin, the reigning Olympic champions in canoe, both overcame penalties to clinch top spot.
It wrapped up a sensational two days on the water for Fox as she backed up winning the women’s K1 crown on Friday with victory in the women’s C1 on Saturday.
The three-time Olympic gold medallist returned to the international stage last week after a nine-month absence following her recovery from kidney surgery.
“I didn’t know what to expect this season, coming back into racing after such a big time off,” said Fox.
“To be back out there, enjoying racing, back with this community and back on the podium is such a joy.
“I feel so grateful for everyone who has helped me get back out there and has helped me along the way.”
Back competing in C1 for the first time since surgery, Fox dug deep to emerge victorious.
Touches on gates 17 and 18 added four penalty seconds to her run, but she refused to unravel, battling through the closing stages to post a time of 121.01.
It proved to be enough to take the win as Czechia’s Martina Satkova finished 0.27 off Fox’s time after being roared down the course in 121.28.
Great Britain’s Kimberley Woods registered three two-second penalties as she finished with a time of 123.02 for bronze.
“It was a really hard course, very physical, really technical and challenging moves,” said Fox.
“For me, it was a lesson in never giving up and staying composed and trying to hold it together until the finish.
“Even though I made that mistake and touched those two gates, everyone battles so you don’t know what is going to happen, but I am proud of myself for getting back in the canoe and to come out with a double gold is more than I could have hoped for.”
After seeing his winning streak come to an end in Tacen last week, Gestin bounced back with victory in Prague.
Most of the good work was done in the top half of the course as he looked to stamp his authority on the final.
The Frenchman was leading by more than two seconds going into the final section of the course but was unable to avoid touching gates 21 and 24.
The two mistakes looked like they might cost him the win, but no one could better his time of 107.84.
“It’s really good so a good day in Prague and I am happy to do back to back wins having already won here last year,” said Gestin.
“Around gates 11 and 12 was really tricky so I didn’t enjoy my run but tried to fight hard and fortunately found a little bit of space and it was about that today.
“Thanks for the support. I have my friends and family from the French team so I am really happy to take the gold for the slalom team.”
Slovakia’s Marko Mirgorodsky would have taken top spot only for a two-second penalty to put him in second position in 108.64.
Great Britain’s Adam Burgess was the only paddler in the top five to produce a clean run as he earned bronze in 109.20.
Slovenia’s Ziga Lin Hocevar was the last to go after topping the heats but last week’s champion in Tacen was unable to snatch a medal after coming unstuck at gate 17.
Men’s Canoe
1. GESTIN Nicolas (FRA) 107.84 (4 second penalty)
2. MIRGORODSKY Marko (SVK) +0.80 (2)
3. BURGESS Adam (GBR) +1.36 (0)
Women’s Canoe
1. FOX Jessica (AUS) 121.01 (4)
2. SATKOVA Martina (CZE) +0.27 (0)
3. WOODS Kimberley (GBR) +2.01 (6)
Related links
