The temperatures may have dipped following a thunderstorm in Pau, but Ryan Westley was on fire, storming to his maiden International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup title.  

In the women's category, the legendary Jessica Fox added gold medal number 35 in the canoe. 

The heats may have been a subtle hint of what Westley was going to come up with, finishing second behind Poland's Kacper Sztuba, before smashing his own time in the final by almost three seconds, cruising to the title in 97.74.    

Click here for results from Pau

The tight men's final saw Yohann Senechault stand on the podium for the hosts, while reigning European champion Miquel Trave of Spain took bronze. 

Senechault delivered a sensational performance as the decibel levels increased in the Pau-Pyrenees Whitewater Stadium and was only 0.39 behind winner Westley.  

Trave, who set the pace early on, finished in 98.37, while Czechia’s Olympic champion Jiri Prskavec, who made it to the first final of the season, finished fifth eventually.  

The shock of the day for home fans was Paris 2024 gold medallist Nicolas Gestin getting knocked out in the heats. The 25-year-old, who won bronze in La Seu, had eight gate touches and finished 35th. 

The La Seu gold medallist, Luka Bozic, and Slovenian Olympic champion compatriot Benjamin Savsek were among others who could not race for a medal. 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Everything canoe, kayak, and SUP (@planetcanoe)

Similar to the women's K1 on Friday, all three men's C1 medallists from La Seu did not compete for a spot on the podium, with Great Britain's Adam Burgess finishing 25th.   

The women's C1 final saw Fox finish 3.27 faster than silver medallist Gabriela Satkova of Czechia in 107.62.  

The Australian Olympic champion is simply a cut above the rest at the moment and could have clocked a better time if not for a gate touch.  

Satkova, who missed the opener in La Seu while preparing for her university exams back home, started with a bang. 

There is no doubt she is form as the 23-year-old was part of the C1 and K1 teams that won the European Championships last month and also took a bronze in the K1 at the Vaires-sur Marne Nautical Stadium.    

Bronze went to Angele Hug, who added to her kayak cross title from last week. 

The Paris 2024 medallist could have finished a place above if not for a touch on the penultimate gate but was part of yet another successful coup for France.  

Kimberley Woods of Great Britain had a day to forget in Pau, missing out on the C1 final, and finishing 16th in the heats.  

Spain's Miren Lazkano was among the podium spots in the early phase in the final but finished fifth, while Evy Leibfarth of the United States, who topped the heats again,  Slovenian Eva Alina Hocevar and Australia's Noemie Fox were also among the stars that did not make the top 12.  

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

Canoe Slalom
Kayak Cross
#ICFslalom