Fox sisters hit the water for new kayak cross event
A weary Jessica Fox showed the path to a third gold medal in Paris could prove rocky, finishing second in her opening kayak cross round.
Jessica Fox is enjoying the Olympic experience all over again through the eyes of sister Noemie. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)
With the top two advancing, the Australian superstar paddler still avoided the repechage round and said she didn’t think it would affect her ambition of becoming a treble gold medallist at the one Olympics.
Her younger sister, Noemie, competing in her first event in Paris, looked sharp as she powered to victory in her opener.
Added to the Olympic program this Games, the splash and dash sees three or four paddlers enter the water together before they jostle for positions through eight gates en route to the finish line.
The athletes wear protective equipment including mouth-guards and they can use their boats and paddles to push rivals off line.
Fox has already won the C1 and K1 in Paris, but the unpredictable nature of kayak cross means a third title is far from certain.
“It was good to get out there and finish top two, that was the job today,” said the 30-year-old from Sydney.
“I wanted to try and be out in front but I caught up at the start and had to fight and push.”
Noemie got off to a flying start and avoided the carnage between paddlers at the back.
“To get out and have a textbook-perfect finish, which is to finish first in my heat, I’m so happy,” the 27-year-old said.
The next round will be held on Sunday afteroon (local time) while the quarter-finals and beyond while be contested Monday.
From Melissa Woods in PARIS/AAP
