Germany’s Elena Lilik put her injury woe behind her to capture an emotional women’s canoe title at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Tacen, Slovenia.
The Olympic silver medallist was forced to miss the opening two World Cups of the season after undergoing an operation on her wrist in January.
But Lilik was back to her best, navigating a tricky Slovenian course to take the title on a thrilling day of racing.
Click here for startlists and live results from Tacen
After Titouan Castryck’s victory in the men’s kayak yesterday, France celebrated more success today as Nicolas Gestin got the better of compatriot Yohann Senechault in a French one-two in the men’s C1.
It is a second successive World Cup gold for reigning Olympic champion Gestin as he seeks to overhaul Senechault in the race for the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series crown in C1.
With Australia’s Jessica Fox withdrawing from the final two World Cups in Tacen and Augsburg after having surgery on her kidney last week, the women’s C1 has been blown wide open.
View this post on Instagram
Lilik took her opportunity in Tacen, managing to hold herself together during a challenging opening section of the course before finishing superbly to set a time of 86.86.
It proved to be enough for victory as Ukraine’s Viktoriia Us posted 87.78 to secure silver.
“It means everything for me because I came back from surgery on my wrist,” said Lilik.
“It was a hard time coming back so to now win a gold medal is crazy.
“I couldn’t do training in the winter season, I couldn’t do it after the surgery so I had very compact preparations.
“I am just a paddler who loves to feel the water. That’s what you need in Tacen.
“I always like to paddle here.
“I won a gold medal at the World Cup here in 2023 so it’s back to back.
“You have those post-Olympic blues and then the injury so just being back feels amazing.”
Kimberley Woods backed up her gold medal in the women’s K1 yesterday to bag bronze in 88.19.
It took a remarkable recovery from Woods to seal a spot on the podium as she smashed the nose of her boat against the wall before the first gate and received a two-second penalty after touching gate three.
There were no issues for Gestin in the men’s C1 final as he swept down the course to register a stunning time of 75.67.
After topping a French one-two-three in Prague in June, Gestin emerged victorious again as Senechault clinched silver in 76.46.
Czechia’s Vojtech Heger claimed his first World Cup medal in C1 with bronze after crossing in 78.70.
“I’m really enjoying every run,” said Gestin.
“I trained really well in July and August but to put a run like this together for the final is a good surprise to me.
“I really tried to think about the top section because I feel like that is really important here.
“You have got to use the water but I feel like your lines can be larger so I had to be focused on my vision and really watch every movement.
“After having a bad run in Pau, I have come back (in the overall standings).
“I still have a chance (to win the overall title) even if Yohann is really solid.
“Top position is really tough to get but we will see in Augsburg.”
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
Join Planet Canoe's YouTube channel for €9.99 per month to unlock members-only content and features
Read YouTube's frequently asked questions for more details.
Related links
