Australia and Slovenia topped the podium in the kayak teams event at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City, United States.
Jessica Fox struck gold for the second successive day as she led Australia to glory in the women’s kayak teams, while Slovenia triumphed in the men’s kayak teams.
Click here for the live start lists and results from Oklahoma City
There were also medals for France, Slovakia, Switzerland and Austria on the second day of competition in Oklahoma City.
Here are what the medallists had to say after a thrilling Tuesday.
Women’s Kayak Teams
Australia (gold)
Jessica Fox: We have been paddling together since we were 12 and done many team races together. We have won together, we have cried together and today it was a really good day. I love paddling with Kate and Noemie.
Kate Eckhardt said: It’s so challenging when it is always such an individual sport so any mistake that you make it’s on you and your result that is impacted but when it’s in a team we are not usually racing like this. It’s a very different feeling. It’s very tough. People do make mistakes, it’s on your team and that’s a really hard feeling. We are all really proud of how we paddled and had this really good trust together.”
France (silver)
Camille Prigent said: We were European champions in 2023. Marjorie was the best sprinter at the back so she pushed us along.
Marjorie Delassus said: It’s super cool. It’s great start for us this week and we hope to make the best of this competition.
Slovakia (bronze)
Sona Stanovska said: We are so proud of how we managed our run. This is our first time in teams so we are pretty amazed. For many of the athletes, it’s their first time in America so we are glad that we are here.
Men’s Kayak Teams
Slovenia (gold)
Peter Kauzer said: “It means a lot, especially for me at 42. I have been on the circuit for more than 20 years and I had never won the team event at the World Champiosnhips. I have been European champion a couple of times but never world champion and now another box ticked.
Ziga Lin Hocevar said: “It feels really good. I have been watching Peter my whole life, he is my idol, so it’s amazing to compete with him and Lan (Tominc).
Switzerland (silver)
Jan Rohrer said: I feel very good. We have been fourth a couple of time so it’s great to finally make the step up to the podium
Martin Dougaard said: It was an incredible day, I was not expecting to get a medal but we finished today. Just 0.11 seconds behind the Slovenia but today is a great day.
Austria (bronze)
Felix Oschmautz said: “It’s so nice to be on the podium with the guys. It’s cool to start the World Championships like this.
Mario Leitner said: We thought there was a possibility that we could do this but in the end it took a bit of luck, we had a good run and got a medal.
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