Brazil’s Ana Satila has broken through for her first major win of her career, taking gold in the U23 C1 final at the ICF junior and U23 world championships in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday.
Frenchman Pol Oulhen won a dramatic final in the men’s U23 K1, edging out his teammate and training partner Mathurin Madore by just 0.30 of a second. It was the final year of competition for the pair.
Satila has been one of the strongest performers in women’s C1 for several seasons, but a gold medal at a major international event had always eluded her.
She received a further setback on Friday when she was awarded a 50-second penalty in the women’s K1 event, but showed her determination on Saturday by posting the quickest time in the C1 semi-final, and then following up with the gold medal run in the C1.
But she said her race was still not the best she could do.
“Not yet. I want much more than this,” she said.
“I’m happy with my race today, but its not what I really want. I want much more than this, and I’m going to fight for this to the end and make my dreams come true.
“I’m so happy for my friends and supporters and for Brazil. I really think I’ve grown up in this race a lot today.”
Russia's Alsu Minazova posted an incredible 100.45, but picked up four seconds of penalties to find herself in the silver medal position. Slovakia's Monika Skachova finished third in 105.95.
A thrilling men’s final became even more dramatic when a sudden surge in water levels caused a mid-final delay. After the break it was Frenchman Oulhen who hit the water the strongest, posting a time of 86.02 to take the gold.
“It was exciting. We had to wait a few minutes, but I think that was good for me, I had a good feeling and I really enjoyed my run,” Oulhen said.
“This was my last U23 championship, so I think this was the moment to make a medal. I’ve never won an U23 medal before, so it’s cool for me and a good way to start the senior category.
“I think I was good at the Europeans two weeks ago, I saw that I could go fast, and I really like this course. Maybe at some points it’s quite the same as the place where I train. Next year I will train on the new Paris Olympic course, which will be good for me.”
Madore finished in 86.32, with former junior world champion Mario Leitner of Austria third in 87.82.