France dominate in difficult conditions
After a good day in the individual events, defending champions Huw Nightingale and Charlotte Bankes (GBR) found the going tougher in the Mixed Team quarterfinals. Nightingale had a solid run and Bankes got herself in front of her competitors in the women’s leg – only for Siegenthaler and Josie Baff (AUS 1) to storm through from the back before the last turn and take the two qualifying spots, ending British hopes of back-to-back titles.
In the first quarterfinal, Bozzolo (FRA 1) fell on the men’s leg, but with big gaps between leaders Germany and second-placed USA 2 there was an opening for Pereira de Sousa to catch Brianna Schnorrbusch (USA 2). She duly overtook both Schnorrbusch and Jana Fischer (GER) to win and book a place in the semifinals.
France 2, USA 1, Australia 2 and Italy all also progressed to the semifinals, despite a crash between Australia’s Bolton and Evan Bichon (CAN 2) in the third heat. Newly crowned women’s world champion Michela Moioli (ITA) showed her form by coming from the back to take the win in the fourth heat.