Kaliska defends title

Kaliska paddled a smooth, error-free final run to give her an unprecedented 14-second margin of victory in an event where a 2-second gap is usually considered a generous lead.

Germany's Jennifer Bongardt, the defending world champion, crashed out after missing several gates on her semi-final run and finished frustrated in a distant 15th place, while two-times Olympic champion Stepanka Hilgertova finished 10th after an error-plagued final run.

Age: 36 (date of birth: Jan 19, 1972)

Place of birth: Zvolen, Slovakia

Career achievements:

Gold medallist, 2005 World Championships (K1)

Silver medallist, 2007 World Championships (K1)

Silver medallist, 2008 European Championships (K1 team)

Previous Olympic results:

Gold medallist at 2004 Olympics (K1)

Fourth place at 2000 Olympics (K1)

Kaliska raced to an unprecedented 14-second margin of victory to retain her Olympic title in an event where a 2-second gap is usually considered a generous lead.