In the second of our big interviews with the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup Series, we spoke with women’s overall kayak cross individual champion Camille Prigent of France.
Scrolling through pictures from a few years ago, Camille Prigent can’t believe how much she has changed.
Back in 2021, Prigent lacked the strength to keep up with the leading paddlers on the international circuit.
Now, Prigent is one of the quickest on the water, regularly setting the pace for others to try to chase.
“It’s so funny because I didn’t realise that I was looking stronger, but now when I see photos of me from four years ago, I was so little, my arms were so little,” said Prigent.
“I am really impressed.”
Her power on the water used to be one of her biggest weaknesses, but is now one of her biggest strengths.
“I had good core from gymnastics when I was younger, but I wasn’t like the other girls,” said Prigent.
“Sometimes I would have a good run and be like five or 10 seconds behind when I first started competing in the international senior races.
“It’s something I have worked hard on with my coach.
“For the Olympic cycle for Paris, I really improved a lot. I went to the gym a lot more.
“It’s a lot of hard work, but now I feel like I have that pace because I have built this strength.
“It’s more a part of me and I don’t have to work on it so much.”
Prigent’s intense workout sessions have paid off as she continues to produce scorching times in a kayak cross boat.
The French speedster made history this year by becoming the first-ever winner of the overall women’s kayak cross individual title after a scintillating International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup Series.
It’s the first year where kayak cross individual has been an official medal event, and Prigent has taken to it by storm.
“In the individual, I knew I would be really good because I have improved a lot physically over the past few years,” said Prigent.
“It’s a heavy boat to paddle, so I knew it could be a really good challenge for me for the World Cup overall.
“I always preferred the individual time trial because I didn’t like fighting with the other boats at first. “I always used to have some really good runs in this, but it didn’t matter before, so it was quite exciting this season that we could actually get a medal in this event.”
Prigent captured the European crown in the women’s kayak cross individual on home waters at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium – the Olympic venue for Paris 2024.
The 27-year-old then finished in the top two in the first four World Cups, winning in Pau and Tacen. A disappointing showing at the World Cup Final in Augsburg failed to stop Prigent from topping the overall standings.
But there is a lingering feeling of frustration when she reflects on the 2025 season, having failed to shine in the women’s kayak cross individual at the ICF Slalom World Championships in Sydney.
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“I knew I could be consistent, but it’s always harder to do than to say,” said Prigent.
“I was surprised that I wasn’t feeling any pressure after winning a few times.
“I was just enjoying it and doing it again and again.
“It was a bit harder for me at the final World Cup in Augsburg and the World Championships in Sydney as I messed up with one of the sweepers in both of the races.
“I was a bit sad because it was the two most important events of the season.
“I don’t think I was more under pressure. I was just not the best. “I am a sprinter, but my ups are still inconsistent.”
Prigent responded superbly to her disappointment in the kayak cross individual by finishing the week in Sydney with a medal. She came second behind Angele Hug for a French one-two in the kayak cross head-to-head format.
“I didn’t even want to go in the morning, but run after run I was trying to slowly get back into it and wasn’t pushing myself too hard at first,” said Prigent.
“After a few runs, I started to enjoy it more.
“When Angele and I were in the final, I was so stoked, and it couldn’t have finished any better than this.
“Our kayak cross coach has worked really hard to build a team spirit since the kayak cross first became an international race.
“It’s really good to reward him with these medals at the World Championships.
“We are giving credit for his hard work.” Prigent has been enjoying a hard-earned break in French Polynesia, but is already looking ahead to the 2026 season, when she is motivated to go even faster.
“It’s been a very intense and long season,” said Prigent.
“As I am growing, I need more rest in between the seasons.
“When I was younger, I could just go right away. “I feel like I need to come back with more energy, and I’m happy to go training even if I have already had a call with my coach and we already got a lot of ideas.
“I am not worried about my motivation for next year.”
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