It was a sea of red in the kayak cross finals as the second International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup of the year concluded in Pau, France. 

Miren Lazkano led the way for La Roja in the women's finals and Pau Echaniz secured a sweet double for the Spaniards on a thrilling day of action. 

Lazkano, who got the individual kayak cross medal last weekend, took the lead at the beginning and from then on it was just a formality, as the 27-year-old has showcased her pace on multiple occasions.  

Click here for results from Pau

Chiara Sabattini, involved in a heated contest with Lazkano in the semi-finals, settled for silver but has plenty to be proud of, as it was the Italian's first final.    

The battle was intense between Lazkano's teammate Maialen Chourraut and Czechia's Olga Samkova, with the former getting the edge and taking the bronze.  

At gate two, three-time Olympic medallist Chourraut got a fault, but Samkova received an RAL for moving the gate with her hand.     

Olympic champion Noemie Fox of Australia and Camille Prigent of France were among the top names to be shown the exit door, but the latter had something to salvage for the day, after clinching the individual kayak cross title.    

Paris 2024 kayak bronze medallist Echaniz was the hero among the men, but Spain could not repeat two medals as David Llorente finished last. 

The men's medal race was equally entertaining with Matyas Novak of Czechia and Mathurin Madore of France putting on a show.  

In the end, Novak got a silver and Madore bronze, with the 20-year-old Novak celebrating a special day in France, having won the individual kayak cross bronze earlier in the day, his first medal in the senior circuit.    

 
 
 
 
 
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Benjamin Renia of France and Slovenian teenager Ziga Lin Hocevar were unlucky to bow out in the semi-finals.   

France and Czechia struck gold in the individual kayak cross, thanks to Prigent and Jakub Krejci, respectively.  

Prigent, who got silver in the new medal event last week, was more than half a second faster than silver medallist Adja Novak in 58.55. 

But Novak would be happy to bag a podium spot after the Slovenian missed out on the head-to-head bronze with an RAL. 

Australia's Jessica Fox got her first in the individual kayak cross, winning bronze in 58.68. 

Krejci and Sam Leaver were separated by 0.10 in the men's individual kayak cross, with the former coming out on top. 

Great Britain's Leaver finished in 53.12 and joined his sister Lois Leaver who medalled on Saturday in the women's canoe. Bronze went to Krejci's compatriot Novak in 53.41. 

Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel. 

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