The 22-year-old Lu LI put down the quickest run on the tough Lee Valley course ahead of world-class opposition to secure her first victory at international level and ensure a rare trip to the top step of the podium for a member of the Chinese canoe slalom team. Ecstatic after her victory Li said, "I'm very happy and excited. I focused on ensuring a straight-line. It's amazing to win a World Cup medal."
The Slovenian team had a good start and their target time of 106.57 was electric quick and really applied the pressure on those that followed, including last year's ICF World Cup series winners, Gauthier Klauss and Matthieu Peche, plus the 2013 World Champion's David Florence and Richard Hounslow (GBR).
Talking after their victory the Slovenians said, "We had two touches in the semifinal but the final went smoothly. It is easier to be the first on the start, do the job then wait for the others".
If you missed it, you can still watch the prerecorded K1 Men, C1 Women & C2 Men Finals below.
1. LI Lu (CHN) 110.64
2. KUHNLE Corinna (AUT) 111.03
3. FOX Jessica (AUS) 111.18
4. DUKATOVA Jana (SVK) 112.85
5. SCHORNBERG Jasmin (GER) 115.57
6. HILGERTOVA Stepanka (CZE) 116.98
7. KUDEJOVA Katerina (CZE) 118.10
8. GRANT Sarah (AUS) 119.19
9. KRAGELJ Ursa (SLO) 160.00
10. FER Emilie (FRA) 166.27
1. BOZIC Luka / TALJAT Saso (SLO) 106.57
2. ANTON Franz / BENZIEN Jan (GER) 108.83
3. SKANTAR Ladislav / SKANTAR Peter (SVK) 109.39
4. KLAUSS Gauthier / PECHE Matthieu (FRA) 109.79
5. FLORENCE David / HOUNSLOW Richard (GBR) 110.04
6. PICCO Pierre / BISO Hugo (FRA) 111.30
7. SZCZEPANSKI Piotr / POCHWALA Marcin (POL) 111.35
8. KASPAR Jonas / SINDLER Marek (CZE) 112.65
9. DAVIES Rhys/ LISTER Matthew (GBR) 116.65
10. KARLOVSKY Ondrej / JANE Jakub (CZE) 133.19
Source: http://www.canoeicf.com
