Two tight finals in the kayak cross saw Spaniards win three medals in total, including both golds, at the second International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Pau, France.
It was also a special day for 20-year-old Matyas Novak of Czechia who secured his first senior World Cup win in the individual kayak cross before adding one more medal in the head-to-head format.
Here is what the medallists had to say after the final day of action.
Click here for results from Pau
Individual women
Camille Prigent (FRA - gold)
In the time trials, I have been consistent so far. I was a bit frustrated with slalom as I did not reach the finals, so I guess I had revenge to take today. I was on the tail before the kracken and I completely missed the wave and was having such a good run before, so I was sad I couldn't be part of the final. I felt I had something to play for, but it's the game and I will learn from it.
Adja Novak (SLO - silver)
I was not expecting it. I just wanted to do my best and it all worked out, so I'm happy for that. I think the new format is good. The margins are narrow. Last week, it was a hundredth of a second between third and fourth, so I think it's pretty interesting. I think it's a nice confirmation for me today, but I still have lots of work to do and lots of things to improve, so I'm going to take this as a motivation to keep working hard and see where that takes me.
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Jessica Fox (AUS - bronze)
Time trials are always tight margins between all the athletes. Last week, I made a little mistake, so I was just off the podium and this week, I am happy to get onto the bronze medal step. I’ve won time trials before and I didn't find it positive because you're first to start in the head-to-head. So to make it a medal event is an incentive to win because in the past, I didn't want to win.
Individual men
Jakub Krejci (CZE - gold)
It was nice. I felt good on the water. I was in the lead, but I was struggling a bit in the last upstream, but I am happy with the medal. It's always different and I think I don't have a strategy. I improvise all the time. It was also nice to share the podium with Matyas.
Sam Leaver (GBR - silver)
It's like a new aspect of the sport and I guess it can be taken more seriously. I think people enjoy it more and it puts on a show for the spectators. There's more success in it for us. In the time trials, you're thinking a lot about the speed of the exit and how fast you could keep the speed on the boat.
Matyas Novak (CZE - bronze)
Yeah. I like this format. I think it's a nice change. I'm trying to push it now because I got into the senior team only in kayak cross. There is some pressure, but I'm still young, I'm still under 23. So I'm just trying to get as much experience as I can.
Men
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Pau Echaniz (ESP - gold)
I'm happy, it's been hard for me. It's been hard to find the way to get through the heats. It's good to have the race here. I know I'm not a superstar like others may. I am going to put my feet on the ground and I know I have to fight for it and that it’s not going to be easy. It’s nice to have all the family here and share the podium with them.
Matyas Novak (CZE - silver)
I was not feeling very good but somehow it worked out. I have dreamed about this. I don’t know what to say. I was waiting for this all my life and winning a medal finally is fantastic.
Mathurin Madore (FRA - bronze)
Everybody has a plan until you get punched in the face. This is kayak cross and I think I managed to go through runs according to plans, but mostly adapt. I was fourth and I could see that everybody took the gate, so I had to do something and I saw it was a mess on the last upstream, so I just tried to stay focused on myself and go fast. I took the gate and I managed to get onto the podium, even if it's only the third place.
Women
Miren Lazkano (ESP - gold)
I am usually not so brave. So I'm really happy that I stayed focused and managed to push. Maialen is also now my training partner. So we are really, really happy. We don't train head-to-head too much, because our coach is afraid because he thinks we are going to fight with each other. But we are happy and it’s special to share it with her.
Chiara Sabattini (ITA - silver)
My first final in the kayak cross, and second place. I was living the moment, and I met some big names in the final as well. I just tried to do a run from zero and see what happens. I'm happy about the improvement in general. I am happy about the process.
Maialen Chourraut (ESP - bronze)
It is very good for us to have two medals. We are very happy. In the men’s too, we have two Spanish so that’s another medal minimum. While paddling, I don’t really see who is there next to me. I just go for it and it was nice to finish with a medal.
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