Czechia enjoyed a sensational day in Krakow winning three out of the four gold medals on offer at the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships.
The Czechs dominated the canoe teams events, securing titles in the women’s U23 and men’s and women’s junior categories.
The only gold medal that eluded them was in the men’s U23 canoe teams as France overcame Czechia to take top spot.
Click here for live startlists and results from Krakow
Today’s impressive performances mean Czechia now sit on six gold medals after the opening three days of competition.
After winning the women’s junior kayak teams crown yesterday, Barbora Ondrackova and Valentyna Kocirova linked up with Marketa Stepankova to triumph in canoe.
The trio secured victory in 109.75 as France’s Lili Ulmer, Margot Lapeze and Laurette Laly sealed silver in 121.08.
There was also a surprise bronze for the United States team of Carden Oetting, Ivy Lenz and Lucy Crino who crossed in 122.75.
“We are so happy, we were singing at the start with one of the Czech songs and I think that really gave us the strength to do it today,” said Stepankova.
Tereza Kneblova was also celebrating another gold medal for Czechia. After her success in the women’s U23 kayak cross individual on Tuesday, Kneblova steered the Czech team to victory.
Kneblova teamed up with Adriana Morenova and Anna Fabianova to clinch gold in 104.01, finishing over four seconds faster than closest rivals China.
The Chinese team of Gaoyi Liu, Jiaqi Xu and Yishan Wu bagged silver in 108.21, with Italy’s Elena Micozzi, Isabel Lovato and Vittoria Cuignon finishing in 110.85 for bronze.
“I’m really glad that we did this together,” said Kneblova.
“We cooperated really well during the race and I am so glad it’s enough for the gold medal.”
There was no stopping Czechia in the men’s junior canoe team either as Dominik Rezabek, Jachym Hanzel and Tomas Indruch came out on top.
They won in 92.12 as Italy’s Riccardo Pontarollo, Dennis Fina and Lars Aaron Senoner finished in second in 93.16 and France’s Leo Roye, Cyrian Menuat and Theo Chetoui claimed bronze in 96.15.
“It was close flawless,” said Indruch.
“All of us were nervous on the startline but we did a great job.”
France completed a men’s U23 canoe-kayak teams double thanks to the triumphant trio of Martin Cornu, Mewem Debliquy and Titouan Estanguet.
They emerged victorious in a time of 87.96.
Czechia had a quicker raw time but a two-second penalty cost them the men’s U23 canoe teams crown.
Lucas Kratochvil, Adam Kral and Martin Kratochvil came second in 89.58, while Spain’s Alex Segura, Oier Diaz and Marc Vincente sealed bronze in 92.84.
“It’s a really good feeling and we are so happy to win again,” said Cornu.
“Racing both categories with the same team definitely helps and we beat some good people so we are really happy.”
Full coverage of the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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