French star Titouan Castryck dealt with the pressure of being the strong home favourite to snatch the U23 world crown from Italy’s Xabier Ferrazzi in Foix, France.
Ranked world number one at senior level, there was a lot of expectation on the shoulders of the Olympic silver medallist to deliver home glory at the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Ferrazzi increased the heat on 20-year-old Castryck when he moved into first place with a time of 81.42 before the Frenchman made a mistake at the top of the course.
An early gate touch resulting in a two-second penalty looked like it might cost Castryck victory.
But he responded superbly, ensuring no further mistakes as he showed great speed and technique.
The Frenchman crossed the finish line in 81.28, beating Ferrazzi by just 0.14.
Click here for startlists and live results from Foix
“I knew I needed to step it up,” said Castryck.
“I just went all in, and it worked well so I am really happy.
“Yesterday, I was all fine but this morning I started to feel really tense and stressed about it.
“At the start-line when I heard about Xabi’s run, I was struggling but I feel I need this kind of pressure to make me fired up.”
Castryck and Ferrazzi were joined on the podium by Spain’s Manel Contreras who posted 82.81 for bronze.
There was also gold-medal delight for Slovenia’s Eva Alina Hocevar, Poland’s Hanna Danek and Czechia’s Michal Kopecek.
Hocevar and Danek improved their silver medals from last year’s World Championships to take gold in the respective women’s K1 U23 and women’s K1 junior categories, while Kopecek added to Czechia’s title tally in Foix with victory in the men’s K1 junior final.
After coming up short of top spot in 2024, Hocevar and Danek were both determined to go one better this year.
Hocevar, the 2018 junior world champion, emerged victorious in a time of 93.76 after producing a stunning finish.
Olympic medallist Evy Leibfarth of the United States missed out on gold by 0.51 as she collected silver in 94.27, while defending world champion Lois Leaver of Great Britain earned bronze in 94.42.
“It feels unreal,” said Hocevar.
“I wanted to win because it is my last U23 World Championships, and I didn’t have an U23 world title yet.
“This was my only goal.
“I was really happy with my run and if it wasn’t enough for the win I would still be happy, but I really wanted to be first.”
Danek overcame two early gate touches to clinch victory in 101.18 as she managed to hold off Czechia’s Barbora Ondrackova by just 0.19.
Ondrackova registered 101.37, including one two-second penalty for a gate touch, for silver, while Germany’s Mina Blume enjoyed a clean run to win bronze in 101.48.
“I have worked so hard for this, and I am so happy that I made it,” said Danek.
“I will remember this moment all my life.”
The final race of the day saw Kopecek win the men’s K1 junior crown to increase Czechia’ gold medal haul to five after the nation captured four team titles across the opening two days.
Kopecek secured the victory in 85.06, edging defending world champion Ziga Lin Hocevar by 0.56 after the Slovenian star finished in 85.62.
“It’s incredible,” said Kopecek.
“I still can’t find the words. It’s like a dream come true.”
A time of 87.71, including two two-second penalties for gate touches, saw France’s Titouan Estanguet, the son the legendary Tony Estanguet, claim bronze.
Competition continues tomorrow.
Full coverage of the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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