After dominant winning performances in their heat and semi-final, the pair were able to finish the job overnight, with Poland and Hungary joined them on the podium in second and third respectively.

“We’re super stoked with how that went, we were finishing up with this race today and knew we only had one more and then it was home time,” Kailey said.

Photo credit: Paddle Australia / Paddle Photography

“So we just gave it everything we had and I think we crossed the line absolutely exhausted, almost falling in, but we held it together and we’re super happy with how we executed that.

“It’s pretty special for us, coming out of our domestic season we don’t really know where we stack on the world stage and I think when we were able to come away with a third in the K4, we are just really stoked for how the girls group is pulling awesome results.

“So it’s really exciting for the next few months and we’ve got some girls going to the U23s and then heading into World Championships.

“It’s really nice to put together a good race, but then also come away with a win,” Natalia said.

“I think that’s the double edged sword and it’s the best part of it all.

“It’s so nice to be able to stand on the podium with Kailey and knowing that we’ve still got so much more to give and so much more to learn and I am looking forward to the next few years.”

The Australian Canoe Sprint Team will now return back to Australia to prepare for the Junior and U23 World Championships in Portugal and Senior World Championships in Italy.