There was plenty of hype for the individual medals in kayak cross at the first International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup of 2025, and it was delivered superbly in La Seu.
Here is what the medallists had to say after an intense day of racing.
Individual men
Jonny Dickson (GBR - gold)
It's nice to see the time trial getting the recognition. I know that I'm really fast in the time trial and I've done good ones before, so I guess it is nice to do it when there's a little bit more pressure on me because I'm sure everyone wanted to get a metal.
Jan Rohrer (SUI - silver)
It's very nice to have a second medal in the kayak cross. It's really important, also for the event, it puts a bit more pressure. It's more exciting to watch for the spectators and the athletes, it's a lot of recognition as well to get a medal.
Benjamin Renia (FRA - bronze)
I'm very happy about the medal. It's a moment to play for and it gives something more during the qualification. It's not the qualification. It's a great chance to get a medal. And for the moment, it's working for me.
Click here for live results from La Seu
Individual women
Miren Lazkano (ESP - gold)
I'm really happy. I was expecting to win. I love the new format because sometimes I'm really fast, but not that good in the head-to-head. So yeah, I'm happy to have this format now.
Camille Prigent (FRA - silver)
I'm really happy. It was a super tight race with the girls. I saw second on the finish line and there were two really good athletes to come. I thought I was going to be forced and yeah, it's cool to be able to grab a few medals in one weekend.
Eva Alina Hocevar (SLO - bronze)
I didn't expect that. I did well yesterday in the session and I did one hard move in the end. I went all in as I did not have anything to lose. I am so lucky and so happy that I got this medal.
Manuel Ochoa (ESP - gold)
I am very happy with the performance. The home crowd, I am speechless. It felt like the whole village was here. The whole race was clean. But unfortunately, in the semi-finals, we faced some problems. It was great to have the whole day paddling and racing and so good to have the medal now.
Jonny Dickson (GBR - silver) Head-to-head is what the Olympic discipline is. I'd prefer to have won the head-to-head, but I might have not gone that far without winning the individual medal, so I think it's important. I think in the final, start on the ramp wasn't very good. If had a better start, maybe I could have done better.
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Jan Rohrer (SUI - bronze)
It's definitely a very good day for me today and it's a very good start into this World Cup season. It was always both disciplines for me and it will be the same for now. I think we will see some kayak cross specialists in the future that only do one discipline.
Angele Hug (FRA - gold)
It was so hard in the end. It's exhausting but we are used to this now, so it's really good and it was so nice to race. I think we have the best sports - slalom and kayak cross - in the water, and it is amazing.
Tereza Kneblova (CZE - silver)
It was a really good fight. I really enjoyed it and I felt that I would make it better in the last upstream, but then I messed it up a little bit. It's okay, second place is amazing and I'm so grateful to be able to be in the final.
Lois Leaver (GBR - bronze)
It's my first senior medal, so I'm delighted with it. I was happy just to be in the final and cross the line. It's my first year on the senior team. But I understand kayak cross a bit more now, especially the head-to-head.
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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