The second stop of the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup Series will see stars head to the home of the legendary Tony Estanguet.
The competition at the Pau-Pyrenees Whitewater Stadium will begin on June 13 and conclude on June 15, with athletes from 40 nations and five continents set to be in action.
With four sets of medals to fight for, here are five things to look forward to in Pau.
Click here for live results from Pau
Olympic medallists back
Two Olympic Games Paris 2024 medallists are back in action this weekend after sitting out in La Seu. Italian Giovanni De Gennaro won the men's kayak event in France last year. Poland's Klaudia Zwolinska got a K1 silver medal in the women's competition. The duo have been active in the ICF World Ranking events, winning medals and will be keen to transfer that form into World Cup success. De Gennaro finished second in the overall World Cup Series in 2024, 19 points behind defending champion Anatole Delassus of France, and will be keen to rack up the points, having missed the opener. For Zwolinska, the jump needed is much higher as she completed 2024 in fifth position in the K1, 52 points behind Germany's triumphant Ricarda Funk.
French Connection
The opening World Cup of the season saw the French dominate in almost all events. Paris 2024 star Titouan Castryck and Delassus did a one-two in the men's K1, while Nicolas Gestin claimed bronze in the men's canoe. Camille Prigent was leading the way among women, claiming a silver in both K1 and kayak cross individual. Angele Hug won the women's kayak cross gold, and Benjamin Renia added one more with bronze in the men's individual kayak cross. Full of confidence, the French stars will look to home comfort to continue the momentum.
Comeback on the cards?
Many big names like Kimberley Woods of Great Britain, Evy Leibfarth of the United States, Czechia's Jiri Prskavec and Benjamin Savsek of Slovenia were among many who were not able to make a mark in Spain and will be hoping that their fortunes change in Pau. Their skill is beyond doubt but come race day, anything can happen. Such is the standard of these athletes, even a tiny error can cost them dearly. But if these stars are used to anything, it has got to be striving under pressure and if not in Pau, it will happen at some point in the season.
Fast and furious
Time is money. That could be the new mantra in kayak cross, thanks to the individual medal event. It is also an opportunity to see new stars on the block. Jonny Dickson of Great Britain, for example, finished seventh overall in the 2024 World Cup Series. But having won the individual kayak cross gold before adding silver in the head-to-head in Spain, the 24-year-old is in a strong position. Miren Lazkano of Spain was another surprise winner in the individual event. She was not part of the top 20 in the overall kayak cross World Cup rankings last year.
No stopping Fox
It might have been mixed fortunes for Jessica Fox in La Seu but her performance in the women's K1 is what you call a minor blip in the matrix. Why? The very next day, the reigning Olympic champion showed class by winning her 34th gold medal in the C1 at the World Cup stage. Seeing her focus and determination while training in Pau, the numbers are going to be piling up.
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