France almost enjoyed a clean sweep in Reunion, winning six of the eight gold medals on offer at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom Ranking Race.
Mewen Debliquy and Camille Prigent both struck twice, while Olympic medallist Angele Hug and Majorie Delassus also won golds for France.
The other titles went to Czechia’s Vit Prindis and Belgium’s Gabriel De Coster in Reunion.
Debliquy set the tone for France as he finished with an impressive time of 96.08 in the men’s canoe final to defeat compatriot Yohann Senechault who crossed in 98.57, and Spaniard Miquel Trave in 101.82.
The Frenchman completed the canoe-kayak double courtesy of his second victory of the day. He won the men’s K1 in 92.47, as Spain’s Trave came second in 92.94 and France’s Edgar Paleau-Brasseur bagged bronze in 93.27.
There were more French celebrations as Hug placed first in the women’s canoe in 114.97, holding off fellow Frenchwoman Delassus who finished second in 117.45, and Andorran Monica Doria clinched bronze in 119.85.
View this post on Instagram
Despite missing out on gold in the C1, Delassus got a taste of victory in the women’s K1 finishing with a winning time of 109.32. France saw more of the podium as Nina Pesce-Roue came second in 109.36, and Doria achieved another bronze finish with a time of 112.13.
In the men’s kayak cross individual, Prindis became one of only two non-French paddlers to achieve a gold medal as he finished in 50.21.
It was a French one-two-three in the women’s kayak cross individual.
Prigent took top honours with a time of 51.86. Compatriots Hug and Delassus took silver and bronze respectively, with less than three seconds separating the competitors.
Prigent also took top prize in the women’s kayak cross as she delivered a strong showing to secure the second French double in Reunion. Delassus was second with Doria coming third.
Belgium’s De Coster dashed Prindis’ hopes of securing his second gold medal in Reunion.
De Coster sealed the men’s kayak cross crown as Prindis came second and Riwal Le Ray picked up bronze.
Related links
