Home favourite Jakub Krejci and Olympic champion Jessica Fox of Australia hit the headlines with sensational performances in the kayak events at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague, Czechia.
Fox captured her first global title since her return from surgery before Krejci thrilled the home crowd with a stunning victory on a pulsating opening day of competition.
There were also medals for Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska, Slovakia’s Zuzana Pankova, Great Britain’s Joseph Clarke and Italy’s Xabier Ferrazzi.
Here’s what the medallists had to say after a fantastic Friday.
Click here for live startlists and results from Prague
Women’s Kayak
Jessica Fox (AUS – gold)
It’s unbelievable, I’m so happy, so proud, so grateful for all the support and all the cheers. It’s always a pleasure to race here so to come out on top is a dream. It’s an achievement to just be on the startline again, to feel the nerves and the energy of racing and be back with the community that I love so much. To make the final was a goal, to get on a podium was a bonus last week and to back it up here and go one better is amazing so I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me get here.
Klaudia Zwolinska (POL – silver)
I am really happy. It was a really difficult race, a really long course. I was not feeling the best on the water today. That’s why I am even more happy that the result is like this because I am proud about this and even with the small mistake I managed to have a silver today. It’s good to be back on the podium, especially here in Prague as it is one of my favourite courses. I got my first senior gold medal in the World Cup Series so after the World Championships it’s nice to be back on the podium. I feel better every day.
Zuzana Pankova (SVK – bronze)
I feel amazing. It’s great as it’s my first podium in K1. It came out of nowhere. The run was far from good but the luck was on my side today. I love this course, I’m pretty strong here. I felt great. I am excited for tomorrow, it’s going to be hard but I am ready to fight.
Men’s Kayak
Jakub Krejci (CZE – gold)
It feels amazing. To win my first World Cup in front of a home crowd was something special. I felt really good today. I trusted myself, I was looking for a good run in the final because I was struggling last weekend in Tacen. It’s a dream come true to win here in Prague. It gives me confidence for the next races but it could be really different because all the courses are different and I know this course really well so that gave me some knowledge.
Joseph Clarke (GBR – silver)
“I am buzzing. It’s been a tough season last year in slalom so come back last weekend in Tace and make the final, put down a really quick time. Unfortunately, I got a touch last weekend that kept me off the podium so to do a great run today, again unfortunately a touch cost me the win but it was a great performance and building a great winter. I put the work in, believed I could do it so it’;s nice to see it’s still possible.
Xabier Ferrazzi (ITA – bronze)
I am really surprised. The run was going super well but then I made quite a big mistake. I had go again through one gate and I also touched it. It’s a pleasure and dream come true to get on the podium here in Prague which is so special. I am really happy to get back to back medals so let’s see what happens next.
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