Fox in flying start to 2022 kayak campaign
Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox has continued her golden form into the new year, taking out the women’s kayak final at the 2022 ICF Oceania Canoe Slalom Championships in western Sydney.
Jessica Fox in action during the 2022 ICF Oceania Canoe Slalom Championships in western Sydney, Saturday, January 29, 2022. (AAP Image/Supplied by Paddle Australia, Caroline Thompson)
Following on from her stellar 2021 season, Fox managed to carry the momentum into the new year, getting 2022 off to a winning start at Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
The first opportunity to race on home soil in almost 12 months, Fox said it was good to be back.
“It’s good to be back racing, it’s a bit sad that we don’t have any internationals here this year, or even our neighbours from New Zealand,” Fox said.
“So it doesn’t really feel like an international race, but it’s always good to get on the start line and practice like it is, and push yourself to get into that mindset again.
“The course was quite challenging, very physically demanding and quite long, so I was exhausted by the end, but I’m happy I was able to get the win,” she said.
Tokyo teammate and dual Olympian Lucien Delfour was the standout in the men’s kayak field, taking out the gold medal.
“It’s a good result after what has felt like a stressful few days for me leading into this event,” Delfour said.
“But it’s always a good feeling to get a win, and it was great to see so many young, up and coming paddlers in the final today.
“Regardless of your level as a paddler, it’s never easy heading into a selection event.
“There’s not much to win, and a lot to lose, so it feels good when you put down a good run, and I’m really proud I was able to do that today,” Delfour said.
Despite missing some of his international competitors, Delfour said he was also just excited to be getting opportunities to race in Australia again.
“We just have to remember to be grateful that we can actually race. We take it for granted some times, and just the fact that we are able to have an event like this is just amazing.
AAP
