2023-10-07 15:10:00
In Vaires-sur-Marnes, the future Olympic basin, the young 19-year-old Frenchman outperformed the World Cup final and made a date for the Paris 2024 Games.
French kayaking prodigy Titouan Castryck, 19, made his appointment with the Paris-2024 Olympics by winning the World Cup stage on Saturday in the future Olympic basin of Vaires-sur-Marnes.
What better stage to get on a first podium as a senior and even on the first step? The Breton stunned the competition at the site of the K1 final of the Games in less than ten months, relegating second to two and a half seconds. He drummed almost as loudly with joy on the carbon hull of his boat.
“A monster, a genius”
«He atomizes the finale, summarizes his French team coach Jonas Turmeau. Winning by more than two seconds is still rare.»
«He’s a monster, a genius», says the other French kayaker in the final on Friday, Benjamin Renia. Even if he is his competitor in the race for Olympic selection since only one place per nation is allowed in kayak slalom at the Games.
«In the final, he finds himself with guys like the Czechs Prskavec, Olympic (2016) and world champion (2015 and 2019) or Prindis, also world champion (2022), who are at least 30 years old, recalls Jonas Turmeau. Titouan has just turned 19, this is his second senior season. The potential is there, it’s clear.»
Already a double junior world champion, Castryck was unable to reach the final of the Worlds two weeks ago at Lee Valley, site of the 2012 Olympic Games, even though it was one of the two events of the season. set by the French Federation (FFCK) to score points for the selection… with this test event in Vaires-sur-Marnes.
«I knew I could win but between knowing it and doing it…», breathes the paddler. “Especially after London where I thought I was really ready to perform but in the end, I failed.»
His first victory at the highest level comes at the right time: the selection for the 2024 Olympic Games must be revealed by the FFCK next Thursday and no other Frenchman has reached a world podium this season.
«I hope I have come a long way, said the person concerned. Even if Boris (Nephew) was very good in kayak cross in London (vice-world champion, Editor’s note). I do not know.»
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