Sydney played host to a milestone day in the history of kayak cross as world titles were awarded for the first time in the individual time trials. 

Switzerland’s Alena Marx and Spain’s David Llorente emerged victorious on a thrilling opening day of the International Canoe Federation Slalom World Championships. 

There were also medals for Slovenia’s Ajda Novak, Brazil’s Ana Satila, Great Britain’s Joseph Clarke and Czechia’s Jakub Krejci. 

Here is what the medallists had to say after a magical Monday:

Click here for live startlists and results from Sydney

Women's Kayak Cross Individual

Alena Marx (SUI – gold) 

It’s the best start to the World Championships. I'm so happy about it. It was the goal to come out and finish on top, but honestly it really surprised me. I was really surprised that everything worked out well. It’s amazing here, the course is so nice, it’s super hard, so much to learn and it was stressful in the preparations for the race. It’s super cool to be here, the atmosphere is nice, it’s just really nice. It’s a good feeling. I think I need some time to take it all in. It means just so much to win it here at the World Championships and I think it gives me much more confidence. I think I will just try to enjoy every race and take in the atmosphere and just try to enjoy it and race as good as I can for the rest of the week.

Ajda Novak (SLO – silver) 

I'm really excited. I did not expect that, especially after the run. I really didn't think that would be enough. There were so many good girls, and I just couldn't believe it. When time went on and I was still on top, my heart started racing so strongly. I was so happy. The course is really tricky, and it was hard to put down a run like we knew we could. But it was like that for everyone, so we still managed to put down really good runs, and it turned out to be enough today. This is my favourite venue, so I'm really happy. I'll try to take the confidence with me through to my K1 on Wednesday. This is a really nice moment to share with my boyfriend, who is also my coach, who is here with me, and I'm sure my parents are following the race from home. Whenever I come out of the water there is already a message from my dad waiting for me. I'm sure they're really, really happy. They support me a lot. 

Ana Satila (BRA – bronze) 

I came here many times before. I won the junior World Championships in 2014, so this place means a lot to me. I love the course, I love the environment, and I think the organisation is amazing. Starting the championships with a bronze medal is amazing. When I finished my race, there were still so many girls to go. I couldn’t imagine I would win a medal. In the end, it was just enough to get the bronze. I’m even happier because it was really hard for me at the beginning of the season. I had to give up on the first three races. I wasn't sure when I could come back. I had a really bad time at home training alone, because everybody else was racing. I tried to stay positive all the way. It wasn't easy but I'm so happy to finish with a medal here, at the most important competition of the season, it's like a dream to me. When I will be back home, I will need to get another surgery, because I still have a kidney stone. When you have health problems, you start to worry and think too much about them. But I take Jess (Fox) as an example. She just had serious health problems, but she’s remained positive. That is what I do now, I just focus on the event, I try to do my best, and I try not to think about the bad things. 

Men's Kayak Cross Individual Time Trials 

David Llorente (ESP – gold) 

The course is really cool. I had already competed here in February. There are several paddlers who have the same level as me, or who are maybe even better than me at these championships. I think today I was just luckier. It’s the first time I won a world title, except for the U23 and team titles I won. I know I did a very good race. I didn’t know how it went until the end, but when I arrived, I saw the fireworks, and I celebrated a little more. In the end, I’m very happy. I know what it means to be here. You always make several attempts, and many times the result doesn’t come. Now it’s time to listen to the anthem, rest, and to focus on the slalom. The competition has just started. In the next five or six days, I will feel a lot of pressure, a lot of stress. I don’t want to waste energy on something that has already passed. It’s the fifth time I’m in Australia since 2014. I don’t know much more about Sydney. After the World Championships I’ll stay in Australia for some holiday. I’ll go to Byron Bay, then a bit more to the north, and finally to Melbourne. I’ll have the opportunity to get to know this part of Australia better. 

Joseph Clarke (GBR – silver) 

It's been a great crowd for a Monday. Six days of racing, kicking off with a silver medal, I'm pretty happy and hopefully more to come. I love Penrith, I’ve been here quite a few times. I brought the family and my wife, and she wants to move here, so that’s saying something. The course is certainly going to be challenging, that’s what you want though, challenge the world’s best and the cream will rise to the top. I’ll be back here later in the week and hopefully take another world title. 

Jakub Krejci (CZE – bronze) 

I am enjoying the paddling here, the race was super nice with the crowd around, so I'm happy my family members can see it. I feel good, a little bit upset about my mistake on the main wave but I can't complain with a medal. First round, first medal, I hope I will continue in this strength. That will be awesome. I was here in Penrith before Covid started, so the course is a little bit similar, there have been some changes but it's one of my favourite courses here. I'm having fun all the time. I spent almost three weeks here before the championships. I really love this course and having fun here. For the rest of the week, I want to make solid runs like this and have fun, enjoying my time here on the other side of the planet.