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Kiszli, a three-time world champion, also did not have everything her own way. For 20 kilometres of the 21-kilometre race Kiszli raced neck-and-neck with reigning world U23 champion Cathrine Rask of Denmark, sharing the lead and testing each other’s resolve at key moments.

 

For seven of the eight race portages Rask ran deeper into the portage to emerge first from the sand. But on the final sprint Kiszli flexed her muscles, sprinting harder than at any other time of the race to open up a decisive mini-break that the Dane could not close.

 

The win fulfilled a dream the 28-year-old multiple world champion had been having for two years – double gold at the official debut of canoe marathon at The World Games.

 

“It was a tough race, quick, fast laps and a lot of portages, but I loved it,” Kiszli said.

 

“I thought she (Rask) would beat me, because she was so strong and her run was so fast. I just needed to keep up with her and let’s see what would happen. I think I had more energy for the last small lap.”

 

“For two years I have been preparing for this race, I trained for this. It’s so hard, it’s one hour and 40 minutes, and you have to be focused all the time, and it’s a long time. I think I’m good at this, the focus from the start to the finish.”

 

Rask paddled a brave race, only succumbing to the might of Kiszli on the final lap. The 24-year-old said she dug deep to stick close to the Hungarian.

 

“It was an incredible race, I was just hoping to bring a medal home,” Rask said.

 

“She’s so strong, and so cool, it was nice to race against her because I haven’t raced against her over long distance before.”

 

Spain’s Eva Barrios added to her silver medal in Monday’s short-distance with a bronze medal behind Kiszli and Rask, outsprinting a group of four on the final stretch.

 

In men’s competition gold went to South Africa thanks to Andy Birkett. Pedersen added the silver to his short course gold from Monday, while Spain’s Ivan Alonso took the bronze, giving the Danes two silver and the Spaniards two bronze on the final day of racing.

 

RESULTS

WOMEN’S MARATHON

1. Kiszli Vanda (HUN) 1:32:40.76

2. Rask Cathrine (DEN) 1:32:56.66

3. Barrios Eva (ESP)   1:34:16.65

 

MEN’S MARATHON

1. Birkett Andy (RSA)  1:23:52.83

2. Pedersen Mads Brandt (DEN) 1:23:53.13

3. Alosno Ivan (ESP)  1:25:14.82

 

Photo: Balint Vekassy