Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska has declared Penrith’s Whitewater Stadium her favourite course in the world after she claimed her second individual gold medal in as many days at the ICF Slalom World Championships 2025. 

Still riding the high from her win in Thursday’s Canoe (C1) Final, Zwolinska maintained her composure and defeated some of slalom’s best in the K1 to become a dual world champion. In doing so, she is the second female athlete after Jess Fox to win both the C1 and K1 at a World Championships.

Ranked sixth after the semi-final, Zwolinska faced a tense wait as some of the biggest names in the sport chased her time. 

Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Ricarda Funk (GER), the top-ranked athlete in the field, fell short in fourth place, the Rio Olympic gold medalist Maialen Chourraunt (ESP) finished fifth, while fastest qualifier Camille Prigent (FRA) was sixth.

Zwolinska was lost for words at the result. 

“K1 has always been my goal because it's the category that I feel the most confident in,” Zwolinska said.

“I knew it was possible to get a second medal because Jess Fox has done it. She has always been my inspiration. When I was younger, my goal was to follow her path. I have seen that she has won many medals in one championship before. So I thought ‘I can do it too’.

“I love this place. This is my favourite course on the world,” she said. 

Kimberley Woods (GBR) finished second while 27-year-old Australian Kate Eckhardt experienced the biggest individual win of her career claiming bronze. 

“Kami (Camille Prigent) was about a whisker away from being ahead of me, so I need to go find her and give her a big hug,” Eckhardt said.  

“But it was very, very nerve wracking. I was just happy with the run that I put down and, yeah, really proud of how it all came together. 

“It’s amazing, clearly surreal, I don’t think I really believe it myself yet but here we are,” she said.

Competition continues Saturday 4 October with the men's and women's kayak cross finals with action getting underway from 10am AEST.

The ICF Slalom World Championships are live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now.

What the athletes said: 

Kimberley Woods, Great Britain (Silver)

“That run was way better than this morning, that's for sure. I had a lot more energy and I actually heard my race hype song as I was warming up, with the crowd.”

“I just felt way more up for it and really attacked that run. That slightest touch on the main wave really cost me the gold, but I'm really happy how I attacked that.”

On waiting in the kiss and cry

 “It's so horrible. I had the experience at the Games, waiting for Ricarda Funk to come down last year and she's not someone you want to be coming down when you're waiting to see if you have a medal. So, it's not nice, but as soon as I kind of knew I had a medal, it was, a relief, but we were all kind of praying and hoping for the Aussie crowd and for Kate (Eckhardt). We're all so happy for her, and it's amazing to do that at a home crowd.”

“I think the world championships brings out the camaraderie between the countries because this is the pinnacle of our sport as well as the Olympic Games, but todo it at home and here in our community is incredible and that's why we do it.That's why we love the sport. That's why we keep coming back every year to see our friends. There is a big community and a canoeing family and everyone needs to experience that. That's what makes it beautiful.”

“I'm going to really enjoy this moment and be on the podium. I wanted to come away with a medal at these championships. When I saw the wind yesterday, I was praying to the gods today that there was going to be no wind for the race. So I'm going to enjoy that and then reset and get ready for that kayak cross tomorrow.”

Kate Eckhardt – (AUS) bronze

On winning a bronze medal:

“It’s amazing, clearly surreal, I don’t think I really believe it myselfyet but here we are.”

On winning a medal in front of a home crowd:

 “I couldn't ask for anything more. I’ve got so many friends and familyhere. I'm so, so lucky to have their support around me. The crowd was unreal,and I’m so grateful to have the support that I've had here today and throughoutthe week.”

On a Teams medal versus an Individual medal:

“It's super special, but the team is awesome because it's not often thatwe get to share that experience. It's usually an individual sport. And so,yeah, to be standing up there, in my event is so special.