Paris 2024 canoe slalom: New Zealand's Finn Butcher clinches kayak cross gold ahead of world number one Joe Clarke
In the Olympic Games’ first ever men's kayak cross final, New Zealand’s Finn Butcher came out on top to clinch the gold medal ahead of Team GB's world number one Joe Clarke at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on Monday, 5 August.
Butcher took an early and definitive lead from the start of the race and after receiving no faults, he became the Olympic Games Paris 2024 kayak cross champion.
“It's crazy, I don't believe it yet,” the Kiwi said after the race.
“Once I got out in front and turned in front, I was like, 'no way.' Those guys are so good. I'm proud to be the champion. The first one — that's pretty sick."
As Germany’s Noah Hegge crossed the finish line in third place, he banged his paddle on his kayak and punched his fist in the air in a grand celebration for the bronze medal.
“We did and I am really happy," he said.
"It was crazy. It was a lot of pressure, so I was happy to be on the podium … It was my first time on the podium. It was very emotional."
Hegge’s German teammate Elena Lilik jumped into the water to celebrate with him after his finish, just moments after she had just missed the podium to take fourth place in women's kayak cross.
The race concluded canoe slalom’s schedule in Paris, so in four years the world will see if any of these three Olympic medallists return to attempt to land back on the podium.
Canoe Slalom: Men's kayak cross podium
Gold: Finn Butcher, New Zealand
Silver: Joe Clarke, Great Britain
Bronze: Noah Hegge, Germany