For the second consecutive week unheralded Frenchman Lucas Roisin has posted the fastest qualifying time in the men’s C1 at an International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup.
It was a good morning for the French team, with Marjorie Delassus showing a welcome return to form with the quickest time in the women’s C1 in Prague.
Roisin caused a minor surprise at the opening ICF world cup of the season in Augsburg when he posted the quickest time in difficult conditions. It was his first world cup appearance since 2019. But he made good on that form with another blistering run on Friday morning in Prague, posting a time of 90.62 seconds to finish 1.76 seconds clear of Italy’s Raffaello Ivaldi, with Augsburg gold medalist Sideris Tasiadis third quickest.
For the second week reigning Olympic K1 gold medalist, Jiri Prskavec, made it through to the semi-finals as his dream start to a career in C1 continues.
In the women’s qualifying, Marjorie Delassus was able to put aside a disappointing start to the season by posting the only time under 100 seconds in the women’s C1 qualifying. Her C1 time was faster than her K1 time from the previous day.
“I’m very happy with my run, the last few days I was a bit out with my K1 so I’m really pleased,” Delassus said.
“It was very hard for me to come here after my runs last week, but now I’m very motivated to go forward from here. I was better in my C1 than my K1, so I’m happy.”
Great Britain’s Mallory Franklin showed a later start to the season has not damaged her performance, posting the second fastest time, with teammate Kimberley Woods the third fastest. Germany’s reigning world champion, Andrea Herzog, only just squeezed into the semi-finals after posting the 10th quickest time on her final run.
Another to show a return to form was Switzerland’s Thomas Koechlin, who was 10th fastest in the men’s C1 qualifiers.
“Qualifying is never my favourite, so I’m very happy to have got through on my first run,” he said.
“I felt puzzled in Augsburg, because I felt really good on the water, my second qualifying run was almost very good, but I didn’t get past the qualifiers, so it was really frustrating. But I knew I could do better, and I think I can do much better here.”
The men’s and women’s C1 medals will be decided on Saturday morning.
Pics by Bence Vekassy
