Brazil made the most of home advantage at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom Ranking Race in Rio de Janeiro, highlighted by a hat-trick of titles for Ana Satila and golden double for Pedro Goncalves.
Satila struck gold in canoe, kayak and kayak cross individual, while Goncalves tasted success in K1 and kayak cross to deliver an impressive weekend for the hosts on the Rio 2016 Olympic venue.
Looking to set the tone, Satila emerged victorious from the women’s kayak cross individual as she posted a time of 75.75. Romane Prigent narrowly snatched second in 79.25, with Francesca Malaguti of Italy just 0.67 off the Frenchwoman’s time.
This was the first of Satila’s third golds on a sensational Saturday. Her second came in the women’s K1 courtesy of a time of 87.26. Malaguti followed in second place in 92.80, while another Brazilian, Omira Estacia Neta, delivered a strong showing to claim third with a run of 93.30.
Satila completed her hat-trick with victory in the women’s C1, recording a decisive 93.76 to finish well ahead of the field. Neta once again featured in an impressive position, crossing the line second in 105.49, as Canada’s Lois Betteridge rounded off the top three in 106.04, more than 12 seconds behind the winner.
France’s Gael Addison topped the table in the men’s kayak cross individual in 68.01, keeping a Brazilian duo from victory. Goncalves crossed the finish line a mere 0.70 seconds off the victor. Guilherme Mapelli took filled the final podium position with a time of 70.42.
The men’s K1 final provided another major moment for home supporters. Goncalves, fastest in qualifying, maintained his momentum to take first place with an exceptional time of 78.25. Delassus narrowly missed out on a gold, adding a second medal of the event to this tally with a time of 80.77 for silver, while France’s Titouan Estanguet finished third in 81.00.
In the men’s C1, France’s Anatole Delassus, who has established himself as one of the world’s leading contenders in K1, showcased his versatility as he triumphed with a single blade, winning in 83.97. Brazil secured both second and third spots, with Charles Correa finishing in 88.57 and Kaua da Silva in 90.71, continuing the strong form they had shown earlier in the heats.
Competition concluded on Sunday with success for Czech paddler Olga Samkova and Goncalves in the kayak cross.
Samkova claimed victory in the women’s kayak cross after a composed performance, ahead of France’s Prigent. Satila added yet another successful result to her weekend, placing third and displaying her consistency across disciplines.
Brazil closed the event on as high note in the men’s kayak cross as Goncalves secured his second victory of the competition. He finished ahead of compatriot Murillo Sorgetz, with Estanguet once again placing in third.
