Great Britain enjoyed another medal rush at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup Final in Augsburg, picking up three golds, two silvers and a bronze in a frenetic last day of kayak cross racing.
Siblings Sam Leaver and Lois Leaver enjoyed a grand day out, with Sam winning his first-ever kayak cross gold, and also finishing second in the individual time-trials.
His sister Lois won the individual time-trials and claimed the bronze in the kayak cross.
Click here for live startlists and results from Augsburg
“I’ve struggled a bit in head-to-head this year, so to put it together in front of such a great crowd is really cool,” said Sam Leaver.
“Past gate one I didn’t touch another boat, it just went really well for me.”
British teammate Jonny Dickson picked up the silver medal, which was enough to give the overall kayak cross gold for the 2025 season, while Germany’s Tillman Roeller took the bronze.
In the women’s kayak cross final, it was hometown favourite Ricarda Funk who took the gold, dominating the racing with superior speed which kept her out of trouble with her fellow competitors. The win also clinched her the overall season title.
“My strategy was to go out fast and try and open a big lead,” said Funk.
“I can’t believe I have actually made it. I made absolutely no contact with the others all day. Finally I get into a final, and I get a win. I can’t believe it.”
Czechia’s Katerina Bekova took the silver medal, while Lois Leaver bagged bronze.
In the final overall season standings, Funk finished ahead of Great Britain’s Kimberley Woods, with Leaver taking third.
In the individual time-trials, it was Lois Leaver who posted the quickest time in the women’s competition.
“That was a really good run,” said Leaver.
“It was my best run so far, I’m so pleased to have achieved everything in my plan because the gates are really tough.”
Funk was second fastest and France’s Angele Hug picked up bronze. In the overall season standings, it was France’s Camille Prigent, who had two gold and two silver medals for the previous four World Cups, who finished on top.
Funk came second to add another medal to her final-day collection, while Evy Leibfarth of the United States claimed bronze.
In the men’s individual time-trials, Frenchman Mathurin Madore captured gold.
“I’m really happy, I just tried to stay composed from start to finish,” he said.
“I knew I had to respect the water, and I did.”
Sam Leaver collected another medal by finishing second, which leapfrogged him to the top of the season-ending table, with Spain’s David Llorente earning bronze. Madore finished second and Switzerland’s Jan Rohrer came third.
RESULTS
KAYAK CROSS – WOMEN
- FUNK Ricarda (GER)
- BEKOVA Katerina (CZE)
- LEAVER Lois (GBR)
MEN
- LEAVER Sam (GBR)
- DICKSON Jonny (GBR)
- ROELLER Tillman (GER)
OVERALL SEASON RESULTS – KAYAK CROSS
WOMEN
- FUNK Ricarda (GER) 213 points
- WOODS Kimberley (GBR) 196
- LEAVER Lois (GBR) 177
MEN
- DICKSON Jonny (GBR) 225
- ROHRER Jan (SUI) 219
- MADORE Mathurin (FRA) 215
WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL
- LEAVER Lois (GBR) 69.35
- FUNK Ricarda (GER) +0.18
- HUG Angele (FRA) +0.71
MEN’S INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL
- MADORE Mathurin (FRA) 64.41
- LEAVER Sam (GBR) +0.08
- LLORENTE David (ESP) +0.19
OVERALL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS – 2025 SEASON
WOMEN
- PRIGENT Camille (FRA) 294 points
- FUNK Ricarda (GER) 268
- LEIBFARTH Evy (USA) 266
MEN
- LEAVER Sam (GBR) 287 points
- MADORE Mathurin (FRA) 245
- ROHRER Jan (SUI) 237
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