Three days of intense racing were not to be missed at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Tacen, Slovenia.
Siblings shone on home waters, French paddlers had mixed fortunes, while a canoeing rivalry made its way beyond the water.
Here are five things we learned from a thrilling weekend of racing.
Click here for live startlists and results from Tacen
- The Hocevar Show
It was a standout weekend for Slovenian siblings Eva Alina Hocevar and Ziga Lin Hocevar, who lit up the home course in Tacen with a combined medal haul of four. Ziga Lin Hocevar delivered a breakthrough performance, claiming two gold medals in men’s kayak cross and men’s canoe for his second World Cup victory, announcing himself in style on home waters. The 18-year-old paddler was briming full of confidence, issuing a cheek “who” message about Olympic and world champion Nicolas Gestin before the Frenchman went down the course, adding to the weekend’s unmissable events. Sister Eva Alina Hocevar also impressed, winning gold in women’s K1 and adding a silver in C1. It marked her first World Cup gold, making it a hugely successful weekend for the Hocevar family in front of a home crowd.
- Ferrazzi Breakthrough
Italy’s Xabier Ferrazzi produced a statement victory in the men’s K1, taking gold in a surprise but well-earned breakthrough performance. Long regarded as a major talent after a strong junior career, the 20-year-old Italian has been building towards a senior breakthrough and finally delivered on the big stage in Tacen. The 2023 junior world champion clocked 72.71 for victory on the opening day of competition. With another young talent in Ziga Lin Hocever also dazzling on the senior circuit, the future is looking bright for Canoe Slalom.
- Mixed Weekend for French Stars
It was a mixed bag for France across the categories in Tacen. Olympic gold medallist Gestin saw his winning streak come to an end, finishing fifth in the men’s C1, while Titouan Castryck endured a difficult weekend, placing 26th in the heats and missing out on final qualification. The two men were unstoppable in the second half of last season but failed to hit the ground running in Tacen. In contrast, Camille Prigent and Angele Hug, who were also stars of 2025, were among the standout performers in the women’s kayak cross events. Prigent clinched gold in the women’s kayak cross individual, with Hug securing silver. Reigning world champion Hug also added bronze in the women’s kayak cross later in the day.
- Fox Shines on Return
Triple Olympic champion Jessica Fox made an immediate impact on her return to international competition, claiming silver in the women’s K1 after nine months away from racing following surgery. The Australian paddler underwent an operation last August to remove a tumour from her kidney, keeping her out for the rest of the season, including a chance to compete on home waters at World Championships in Penrith. Fox returned to the start line in style, capturing silver in 81.74, just 0.13 second behind gold medallist Eva Alina Hocevar of Slovenia. Unfortunately, despite an impressive return, Fox bowed out of the rest of the weekend with a suspected wrist injury, but she is set to return in Prague next weekend.
- Leaver vs Madore Rivalry
There was a tight and absorbing battle between France’s Mathurin Madore and Great Britain’s Sam Leaver, both on and off the water. Madore, a fan of Paris Saint-Germain, and Leaver, an Arsenal supporter, found themselves on opposite sides the night before the race, with the Frenchman’s team coming out on top in the UEFA Champions League Final. On the water, though, it was Leaver who had the final word, powering to men’s kayak cross individual gold while Madore took silver in a high-intensity final that added an extra layer of edge to an already fierce contest. Consistent performances saw Leaver secure the overall World Cup title in the men’s kayak cross individual last year, but this was his first victory in the event as he got one over Madore.
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