Olympic champion Finn Butcher wins kayak cross gold at World Cup event in Prague

Olympic gold medallist Finn Butcher has won his maiden World Cup title, after winning gold in the men’s Kayak Cross final in Czechia.

The 30-year-old stormed out of the gates so well that his rivals, Martin Rudorfer and Manuel Ochoa were forced to take a risk to reel him in.

Butcher has been competing in World Cup events since 2012, but the top prize has elluded him, having picked up three silvers and one bronze in the past.

Butcher said securing victory in Prague made it extra special.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “I really wanted to approach the kayak cross with no expectations.

“Prague is my favourite World Cup race, I love coming here, I love racing here.

“It’s epic to take away a win and it’s my first World Cup win as well. I have been second a few times and got bronze last year but it’s sick to get a gold.”

The Alexandra native is the reigning kayak cross Olympic champion.

Butcher was lucky to make it all the way to the final, having just snuck through in his heat, where he finished second.

“I mucked it up in my first round, but still made it through, so it was good to put away that demon of the last run,” said Butcher.

“Sometimes I can get too caught up in the tactics, like what I should be doing or what I need to be doing and then I take too long to make a decision.”

The Canoe Slalom World Championships are in Slovenia at the end of August.

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.