Marie-Zelia Lafont (K1W) and the duo of Pierre-Antoine Tillard and Edern Ruyet (C2M) delivered faultless runs in front of a jubilant home crowd as France dominated the final day at the 2016 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Pau, France.
For Lafont, who assured her place for the Olympic Games by winning the French selection on the same course just a couple of months ago, it was confirmation that she is the tricolour's current number one.
“It's my first medal in a World Cup and it happens at home so I am delighted,” said Lafont following her brilliant run.
At 29-years-old she is certainly not new to the circuit, but Lafont’s recent form has seen her rise up the ranks and look like a real medal prospect for Rio.
“It's so special to win here in Pau, the crowd is big, the atmosphere is awesome,” finished the French star.
However, It could have been a different story as for the second time in a weekend, Jessica Fox (AUS) crossed the line in first place and then had her hopes dashed by the video judges.
In the C1W she just dropped one step to silver, but today it was far worse as a missed gate meant the talented Australian incurred a 50-second penalty and was relegated to 10th.
Slovakia’s Jana Dukatova won sliver despite an illness that had forced her to take antibiotics just days prior to the competing.
Last weeks winner, Maialen Chourraut (ESP) added bronze to her collection and also looks in top form ahead of the South American Olympic showdown.
For Tillard and Ruyet it was their second victory in two weeks as the pair succeeded in out manoeuvring every other duo down the physically demanding course.
Meanwhile, teammates Nicolas Scianimanico and Hugo Cailhol took bronze; whilst the German pair of Robert Behling and Thomas Becker split the French with a performance good enough for silver.
C2 Men
Gold – Pierre-Antoine Tillard and Edern Ruyet (FRA) (0) 110.12 / 0.00
Silver – Robert Behling and Thomas Becker (GER) (0) 110.54 / +0.42
Bronze – Nicolas Scianimanico and Hugo Cailhol (FRA) (0) 110.85 / +0.73
K1 Women
Gold – Marie-Zelia Lafont (FRA)(0) 108.36 / 0.00
Silver – Jana Dukatova (SVK)(0) 110.79 / +2.43
Bronze – Maialen Chourraut (ESP)(4) 113.46 / +5.10