7

The Slovenian double beat France's Hugo Biso and Pierre Picco and Slovakia's Ladislav and Peter Škantar to grab what is the third individual gold and 17th medal for Slovenia at the canoe slalom worlds.

Taljat and Božič put up a flawless performance, taking just the right amount of risk in the final to top off a successful season after a World Cup win in London, second spot in Slovenia's Tacen and bronze at the European championships in Vienna.

"It took us a while to win the title. I'd like to achieve the same level in the singles," said Božič, who placed 8th in the singles competition.

"Going into the championships, my grandpa wished me to row myself the best present and this has happened," said Taljat about what was the perfect present for his 25th birthday.

The pair are now hoping for a good showing at the Olympics. In London they placed 8th and Rio de Janeiro will probably be their last chance to win an Olympic medal as their category will not be on the programme in Tokyo.

Their success brings the tally of medals for Slovenia at the championships in Deep Creek to three after Benjamin Savšek won silver in the men's C1 single competition and went on to clinch the team bronze in the same category with his two team-mates Luka Božič and Anže Berčič.