Reigning Olympic champion Nicolas Gestin delivered another gold medal for France in Tacen while Germany’s Elena Lilik returned to the top of the podium on an exciting day of action. 

After yesterday’s heavy rain, the sun came out and paddlers responded by putting on a sublime show of paddling on a tricky course at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup. 

Here’s what the medallists had to day after a stunning Saturday. 

Click here for startlists and live results from Tacen

Women’s Canoe 

Elena Lilik (GER – gold) 
It means everything for me because I came back from surgery on my wrist and it was a hard time coming back and now winning a gold medal is crazy. I had the operation in mid-January. I couldn’t do training in the winter season, I couldn’t do it after the surgery so I had very compact preparations. I am just a paddler who loves to feel the water. That’s what you need in Tacen. I always like to paddle here. I won a gold medal in 2023 at the World Cup here so it’s back to back. It feels amazing. After the Olympic Games, you have that post-Olympic blues and then the injury and everything now just being back feels amazing. 

Viktoriia Us (UKR – silver) 
I’m so happy. When I saw the girls paddling, I was thinking with runs like they are doing I would be happy to even be in the final. To have a medal I am so, so happy. I still think I’m a bit lucky because the girls are so strong and you never know with Tacen how you are going to go. It’s always very stressful to be on the startline when you know there is a big drop in the first part but if you do a good run you enjoy it. Last year, I got a medal in Ivrea also in C1. Last year, I had problems with my back. I had a broken bone so it was hard to paddle and even harder to return on the water for the competition and participate with the other girls. I didn’t have any operation on it, it wasn’t necessary but I still struggle with it and sometimes have pain. It will never be like it was before so I should take care of it. 

Kimberley Woods (GBR – bronze) 
I wasn’t expecting a medal after what happened towards gate one. Like the resilience I showed yesterday, I kept pushing. I had a touch at the top as I had so much speed. I tried to improve some bits from my first run and did that. I feel very lucky to come away with another medal today. I just got a broken boat to show for it. If you saw the slow-mo on the feed, it is very broken and I don’t know how I am going to get it fixed in time for Augsburg and then World Championships. My new one this year got broke in Prague in the same place and now I have two broken boats and I don’t think Vada can make a new one in time. It’s the first time in eight years that I’ve had two medals in my slalom. I knew sitting on that startline that I was already a World Cup champion from this race and I wanted go out and enjoy it. The course was really cool to paddle on and I feel happy and relax to tomorrow. 

Men’s Canoe 

Nicolas Gestin (FRA – gold) 
I feel like this year I didn’t know how I can manage with the smaller preparations compared to last year but I’m really enjoying every run. I trained really well in July and August but to put a run like this together for the final is a good surprise to me. I really tried to think about the top section because I feel like that is really important here. For sure, you have to use the water but I feel like your lines can be larger so I had to be focused on my vision and really watch every movement and it was okay for the final. After had a bad run in Pau, so I have come back (in the overall standings). I still have a chance even if Yohann is really solid. Top position is really tough to get but we will see in Augsburg. I have one more week to work on this and I am happy to go to Augsburg tomorrow and try to find some solution for Saturday. 

Yohann Senechault (FRA – silver) 
I feel good. I really like this course. It’s very tricky which I like so I am really happy to take this medal today. It’s not easy but I just tried to stay relaxed and just go with the flow. It’s a good battle against a friend (in Gestin). It is a pleasure to practice with him and now I will try to beat him next week in Augsburg and we will see. He is very consistent so I need to improve again to try to kill him. 

Vojtech Heger (CZE – bronze) 
It’s crazy because it’s a first C1 World Cup medal for me after having many injuries in my body. I am really happy. In 2023, I only had U23 representation so it was not that hard but last year it was hard because it was an Olympic year and I was not involved in the team. I am more happy now. I have a big problem with Tacen as I’m a big guy. I mess up every race here so it’s redemption for me. Sometimes I have lost confidence but after this year’s selection I’m back, I’m strong on the water and feel good.