Fox’s triple gold medal hunt in Paris ends
Jessica Fox has been bundled out in the heats of the kayak cross, ending her hopes of a third gold medal in Paris, but her sister Noemie is through to quarters.
Noemi Fox of Australia, Jessica Fox of Australia, Martina Wegman of the Netherlands and Maialen Chourraut of Spain at the start of their heat in the Women Kayak Cross of the Canoeing Slalom competition 04 August 2024. Pic: EPA/Maxim Shipenkov
Jessica Fox’s quest for a historic third Olympic medal in Paris is over with her sister Noemie eliminating the superstar in their kayak cross round.
After winning the C1 and K1 titles, Fox was attempting a golden treble with the new Olympic event added to the Paris schedule.
Her plans came unstuck on Sunday afternoon when a costly gate error meant she failed to make the top two to advance to the quarter-finals, finishing last.
“I just didn’t pull out my best race,” said the 30-year-old, who owns six Olympic medals including three gold from her four Games.
“It was tough off the start, I got really tangled, and I was trying to chase.
“I turned fourth, and climbed up one spot, and almost pulled off the overtake at the last gate.
“That’s kayak cross, and you can have a plan, but nothing goes to plan.
“I’m gutted, but at the same time, when you see your little sister (Noemie) win the heat, I was really proud of her.”
The Fox siblings were drawn in the same four-paddler heat with Maialen Chourraut, the veteran Spaniard and three-time Olympic medallist, and Dutch paddler Martina Wegman.
Noemie, 27, got off to a flying start, storming clear with her sister at the back of the field.
Jessica went past Wegman but as she attempted to claw ahead of Chourraut she missed a gate and had to paddle back around which ruled her out of the running.
After crossing the line the elder Fox immediately embraced Noemie, who is making her Olympic debut.
“When I crossed the finish line there was a frustration, but then I saw her and I saw she had the No.1 next to her name,” Jessica said of Noemie.
“I went straight in for the hug. She had a ‘aw, Jess’, but I was ‘you did it, you’re through, let’s keep this going. I’m with you all the way’.
“That turned quickly to pride for my little sister. I had a little cry and a little hug with mum afterwards, my disappointment, but I can’t stay with that for too long.”
Jessica also revealed their mum Myriam wanted some sharing of the spoils.
“Mum today was ‘as a Mum, obviously I wanted both of you to go through. But if there was only going to be one, I wanted it to be Noemie’.
“She was just so proud to see Noemie race well.”
Jessica thinks Noemie’s tough campaign to qualify for her Olympic debut will help on Monday, which will start with quarter-finals and end with the medal race.
“That race in Prague was the perfect preparation for the Olympics Games for her. I hope she can go all the way,” she said.
“I will be screaming on the bank.”
Earlier, Tim Anderson won his heat to book his quarter-final berth in the men’s event while Tristan Carter also advanced after finishing second.
Jessica said while there was disappointment there was also relief after wrapping up a monster campaign in France, that also included being one of Australia’s flag-bearers at the opening ceremony.
“There’s also some relief in finishing,” she said.
“There’s partly disappointment to not progress and to not try and have a crack at that third medal but there’s pride, relief and exhaustion from the last week of competing.”
Melissa Woods/AAP
