As we go through a dark period, with a string of victories, each more unbearable than the last, kayaking has knocked on our door. To cheer us up? No way.
Anatole Delassus fuels our bad mood a little more in the kayak
Double world champion espoir last July, Anatole Delassus is one of the young prodigies of French canoeing and kayaking. Luckily, he did not take part in the last Olympic Games in Paris. Lucky indeed, because when you see the fate he gave to the Kayak World Cup, you can count yourself lucky that he did not sing the Marseillaise last August.
The Savoyard arrived in the La Seu d’Urgell basin, the last stage of the World Cup in Spain, with the leader’s costume. And with him in the final, a certain Titouan Castryck, reigning Olympic vice-champion in kayak slalom. The latter achieved the best time but ultimately finished in 5th position following a penalty. As such, happiness sometimes exists. For Anatole Delassus, it was the sixth time trial that awaited him. And unfortunately for the native of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, that would be enough for him to win the overall World Cup ranking. Argh.
With a 19-point lead over the Italian Giovanni de Gennaro, Anatole Delassus wins the Kayak World Cup, and becomes the first French kayaker to betray us in this way in eight years, and a certain Mathieu Biazizzo in 2016. Only the fourth Frenchman in history. You understand who we are dealing with now.
