There’s a reign in Spain now for women’s K-1 at the Olympics. In a dominating performance, Maialen Chourraut brought the country its first-ever slalom Olympic gold with the fastest women’s K-1 time of the entire competition…
Chourraut, 33, paddled the 794-foot Deodoro X-park course in 98:65, besting her nearest opponent by three seconds, despite the wind swinging errant gates.
“I worked hard every day, taking it step-by-step to get to this point of winning the Olympic gold medal,” she said afterward. “For my family it is a reward for all the nerves and emotion they have felt.”
Luuka Jones of New Zealand won silver in the women’s K-1, winning the first-ever canoe slalom medal for the Kiwis as well.
“It’s hopefully going to be a game-changer,” she said in a post interview. “It’s put canoe slalom in the spotlight. It’s not one of New Zealand’s key sports but we now have our own whitewater course in Auckland and the young guys coming through in our sport will hopefully get a lot more support.”
Taking the bronze was Australia’s Jessica Fox, 22, after a two-second penalty.
Women’s K-1 Results
Gold – Maialen Chourraut – Spain 98.65
Silver – Luuka Jones – New Zealand 101.82
Bronze – Jessica Fox – Australia 102.49
How the US Fared
No members of the USA team made the podium, but they all advanced to the semifinals.
Men’s C-1
Team USA – Casey Eichfeld, 7th overall – 99.69: Eichfeld put together the strongest performance for the U.S. With two gate touches, his raw time of 95.69 would have earned him the podium.
Men’s K-1
Team USA – Michal Smolen, 12th overall – 97.87
Men’s C-2
Team USA – Casey Eichfeld/Devin McEwan, 10th – 117.85: Eight seconds of penalties proved too costly for the pair to advance..
Women’s K-1
Team USA – Ashley Nee, 14th overall – 116.59