Popular individual kayak cross medals, testing single heat runs in canoe and kayak, and a passionate African Reference Race were among the many talking points in the season-opener.
The 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in La Seu d'Urgell, Spain was action-packed from start to finish.
Here are five takeaways from the three days of competition at the Serge Olympic Park.
Click here for live results from La Seu
More medals, more joy
Everyone loves a spot on the podium. With medals on offer for the first time in the individual kayak cross, which replaced the usual time trials at an ICF World Cup, athletes were thrilled.
Not only did it add an extra incentive apart from qualifying for the elimination phase, but paddlers opined that it provided more motivation.
Jonny Dickson of Great Britain took the gold medal among the men, and Spaniard Miren Lazkano won in the women's category.
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It was a special moment for the latter, who had won silver earlier in the women's C1 before standing on top of the podium in the individual kayak cross, two weeks after losing her mother to cancer.
Heats too hot to handle in K1 and C1
The new format of heats, where only the top 12 would make it to the final, saw some big names missing the cut in the season opener.
Czechia's Olympic and world champion Jiri Prskavec missed out on both finals along with Paris 2024 stars Kimberley Woods of Great Britain and Evy Leibfarth of the United States. In the K1, reigning Olympic champion and Australian superstar Jessica Fox faced a shock exit.
Whether it was the course in the Spanish town or simply jitters in the season opener, it will be interesting to see how stars of the sport react and adapt.
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More than just a race
Youssouf Wally Ndiaye was inconsolable after the kayak cross African Reference Race in La Seu.
At 22, Ndiaye barely had any kayak cross experience but was eager to make a mark in the latest Olympic event.
But luck did not favour the Senegalese as he crossed the line last in one final run that saw Terence Saramandif of Mauritius top, followed by Donovan Wewege of South Africa and Andy Barat of Comoros.
The emotions on display, however, showcased the passion and desire of the athletes from the continent.
An initiative aimed at promoting the sport in Africa, it is hoped that more African paddlers would be interested in racking up some experience moving forward.
Wait ends for Bozic and Delfour
Luka Bozic reminded the Canoe Slalom world that he has still got a few tricks up his sleeve.
While missing out on a ticket to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was a hard pill to swallow, the Slovenian was also fighting injury demons in his knee, where he had three surgeries.
But when many greats faltered, the multiple world and European champion claimed the men's C1 gold medal in style.
The K1 final saw a return to the podium for Australian Lucien Delfour after a long gap.
The 36-year-old whose last ICF World Cup medal was from Markkleeberg in 2019 spoke about his struggles and disappointments later, and the French-born paddler will hope to continue the momentum in the next World Cup in Pau.
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Sweet firsts
Sona Stanovska is no stranger to the podium but when she wins a medal, it is usually in a canoe.
That's why the title in La Seu will hold a special place in her heart. In the K1, the Slovakian got the better of some seasoned stars to bag the top spot.
Speaking about the changes and sacrifices she had to make, Stanovska was overwhelmed with her achievement.
The women's kayak cross finals was pure drama, with Angele Hug of France finishing first.
But a review on gate six meant Slovenian Ajda Novak got an RAL, and Great Britain's Lois Leaver claimed bronze.
It was the 23-year-old's first medal at senior level but there have been signs of her talent for a while now. Last year, she became Britain’s first-ever U23 world champion in the women’s K1.
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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