The season 2024 brought a novelty at Canoe Slalom European Championships and a new medal event in kayak cross. What used to be known as time trials is now kayak cross individual race and athletes are not only fighting for their place among the top 16 and advancement to the elimination phase, but also for the medals. The first Junior and U23 individual kayak cross European Champions in history are Leo Vuitton, Martin Cornu, Lois Leaver and Klara Mrazkova.
Following the senior Canoe Slalom European Championships in May when the first sets of medals for kayak cross individual race were awarded, we now have also the first ever junior and U23 European Champions in individual kayak cross. French paddlers were dominating the Friday's race at the 2024 ECA Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom European Championships winning two gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
In men's U23 kayak cross individual race Leo Vuitton from France won the European Champion title with a time 64.80 and celebrated gold medal in a very tight race. Oleksandr Fedorenko from Ukraine was just 0.03 seconds behind to win silver medal, while Anatole Delassus (FRA) picked up bronze medal (+0.13).
French anthem was playing in honour of Martin Cornu (FRA) who was the fastest in junior kayak cross individual event, stopping the clock at 64.86. Michele Pistoni from Italy was second (+1.18), and Jonah Hanrahan (GBR) finished third (+1.59).
Lois Leaver, the 2024 U23 Canoe Slalom World Champion, added another title to her name. Now she was crowned European Champion in women's U23 kayak cross individual race (69.48). Two French paddlers were second and third respectively. Doriane Delassus was second (+0.98), and Emma Vuitton was third (+1.00) to round up a successful day for Vuitton family.
In the last event of a long competition day in Krakow, Klara Mrazkova (CZE) won junior kayak cross individual European Champion title (71.60). Eyleen Vuilleumier from Switzerland celebrated silver medal (+1.71), and Naja Pinterič from Slovenia was third (+2.01).
On Saturday, the 2024 ECA Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom European Championships in Krakow continues with men's and women's kayak semifinal and final, while Kayak Cross competition continues on Sunday afternoon.
RESULTS: https://siwidata.com/canoelive/ – /splash/eca/2428
LIVESTREAM: https://www.youtube.com/CanoeEurope
16.8.2024
