Corinna Kuhnle (AUT) and Jana Dukatova (SVK) repeated history as they again left the world whitewater playing field with gold and silver medals, respectively, at this year's International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championship. 

In the middle of the pack coming into the K1 Women's final, Kuhnle clearly put the pedal to the medal and ran away from the competition with a time of 110.05 which included a two-point penalty. Silver medalist Jana Dukatova (SVK) posted a clean 113.33 more than three seconds behind Kuhnle. Maialen Chourraut's (ESP) clean 112.58, a mere 0.25 behind Dukatova, earned the bronze.

In getting her second World title in the row, Kuhnle becomes just the second woman to ever do so and the first in four decades after Ludmilla Polesna '61-'63 and '67-'69 (World Championships used to be held every two years).

Speaking with reporters after the medals ceremony, Kuhnle said that when she saw her time at the finish line she was already pleased. Finding out later that she would have posted a 108 without the penalty was mildly surprising even for the reigning world champion.

Kuhnle said she knew from training that she was capable of really fast times but said it all comes down to whether you can have that fast time at the right time, like an all-important World Championship with an Olympic quota on the line as well.
Kuhnle said the key to her success today was largely mental. She said all the finalists and other top competitors "train to be fit on this day" but the difference is the ability to treat such a big moment like any other day of training. "Don't take it too seriously," Kuhnle said. Easier said than done, although Kuhnle also has the advantage of being intimately familiar with this Cunovo course. She grew up about an hour from here near Vienna and explained she's practiced here nearly every day since she first started paddling as a child. 

Asked whether there were any surprises today, Kuhnle noted the uncharacteristic absence of German and Australian boats in the final. 

World Championship action continues this afternoon with heats of Men's and Women's C1.

For a split screen view of Kuhnle and Dukatova's run as well as other daily video highlights from this event, visit www.YouTube.com/SportSceneTV.