Ricarda Funk (GER, K1W) plus the duo of Nicolas Scianimanico and Hugo Cailhol (FRA, C2M) won gold in front of a partisan crowd as the action concluded at the 2016 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Ivrea, Italy.
Funk continued the impressive form that earned the talented German top spot in the semifinal, edging ahead of Australia’s Jessica Fox with seemingly her final stroke as she crossed the line just zero-point-three-of-a-second ahead.
"I’m so happy to win, it's a great course here and with the German trials not going so well for me its great to win again."
The European champion had been the favourite to take the German K1W slot for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, but was bettered by compatriot Melanie Pfeifer during their selection races.
Today Funk lived up to her billing and put down a faultless run to kick-start her 2016 ICF World Cup campaign with gold.
For Fox it was a second medal of the weekend following her podium topping performance in the C1W on Saturday.
The 21-year-old will perhaps be thinking what might have been following some back padding to maintain her line through the final section as she neared the end of her run that almost certainly cost her gold.
Corinna Kuhnle slipped from silver to bronze following Funk’s clean run, but the Austrian won’t worry too much as reaching the final secured her a spot in Rio.
France’s Scianimanico and Cailhol won gold with a super impressive clean run; they were followed by the German duo of David Schroeder and Nico Bettge.
China’s Hang Zhang and Xiao Deng collected bronze as they too laid down a clean run.
Alluding to their strategy of keeping it clean the French pair commented, "We know we lost some time in the end section, but it was important to have a clean run.
The multiple-Olympic Champion crew of Pavol and Peter Hochschorner continued their disappointing start to season; after clipping gate 12 and 14 the pair lost their focus and compounded their misery by picking up two 50-second penalties towards the end.
The action now moves to the 1992 Barcelona Olympic course in La Seu d'Urgell, Spain from the 10-12 June.
K1 Women
Gold – Ricarda Funk (GER)
Silver – Jessica Fox (AUS)
Bronze – Corinna Kuhnle (AUT)
C2 Men
Gold – Nicolas Scianimanico and Hugo Cailhol (FRA)
Silver – David Schroeder and Nico Bettge (GER)
Bronze – Hang Zhang and Xiao Deng (CHN)
For more information contact:
ICF Media & Public Relations Manager
richard.pettit@canoeicf.com
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