France’s Olympic champion Denis Gargaud-Chanut was fastest C1 qualifier today at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Pau ©ICF

France’s Olympic champion Denis Gargaud-Chanut responded to a capacity home crowd by posting the fastest C1 qualifying time at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom and Whitewater World Championships in Pau.

The home nation claimed the only gold medal on offer on the third day of competition as Margaux Henry and Yves Prigent won the C2 mixed final.

The C2 mixed final, a new event on the canoe slalom World Championship programme, was won by the French pairing of Henry and Prigent in 105.37 seconds, with Italians Stefanie Horn and Niccolo Ferrari second in 106.09.

Meanwhile two-time Olympian Fiona Pennie continued Britain’s strong start to the Championships by qualifying fastest in the women’s K1.

Even with a two second penalty for a gate touch, Gargaud-Chanut was more than half a second quicker than Slovenia’s Benjamin Savsek, with Italian Raffaello Ivaldi third.

But the Frenchman commented: “I’m not happy about that run, but I’m really happy because I enjoyed the crowd.


“Today the feeling was okay, now I just need to refocus and not lose energy too much so I can be ready for Saturday.”

The 2016 Rio gold medallist has featured heavily in the promotion of this event in south-west France, and admitted it had intensified the competitive experience.

France’s Quentin Dazeur and Stephane Santamaria were fastest qualifiers in the C2 Wildwater category ©ICF
France’s Quentin Dazeur and Stephane Santamaria were fastest qualifiers in the C2 Wildwater category ©ICF

“You never know how you are going to feel the tension on the start, and that’s something I like with this sport,” he said.

“You show up, and you’re naked in front of the crowd and you need to show your skills every time.

“The most enjoyable part of the race was that the crowd was giving us energy, we were very well supported.

“And I don’t think the other athletes are being forgotten, I feel the crowd is supporting everyone.”

Pennie, a 2014 World Championship silver medallist at Deep Creek in the United States, was the fastest in qualifying for the K1.

Her time of 86.41 put her ahead of 2017 World Cup winner, German Ricarda Funk, in 86.76.

 This is the first time the Slalom Canoe and Wildwater events have been combined at an ICF World Championships, and in the latter category France’s Quentin Dazeur and Stephane Santamaria were fastest qualifiers in the C2, ahead of compatriots Damien Mareau and Pierre Troubady.

The women’s C2 saw another French team, Marnon Durand and Cindy Coat, finish more than a second ahead of Slovakia’s Barbora Kortisova and Katarina Kopunova.

Tomorrow will see the finals in the men’s K1 and women’s C1 slalom