Florence secures World Cup title in boost to Olympic preparations

By Sportsbeat staff

DAVID Florence gave himself a 'huge boost' ahead of the London 2012 Olympics after claiming gold at the canoe slalom World Cup in Cardiff.

PLEASED: David Florence was delighted to win a World Cup title in Cardiff - ahead of Russia's Alexander Lipatov and Slovakia's Alexander Slafkovsky (Getty Images)

Florence took advantage of the absence of Olympic champion Michal Martikan, who pipped him to gold in Beijing but failed to advance through qualifying, to take podium top spot ahead of Russia's Alexander Lipatov and Slovakia's Alexander Slafkovsky.

"To win a World Cup gold at this level of racing is incredible as they don’t come round very often and to do it on home soil just means a huge amount," he said.

"It is also a huge boost ahead of the Olympic Games.

“With the Olympic Games coming up it has aroused a lot of interest and it is great that all my friends and family have got behind me and come along to support me – I am just glad I won.”