Jessica Fox in dominant World Cup canoe slalom win
Australia’s reigning Olympic champion Jessica Fox has blitzed the field to claim gold in the opening round of the ICF canoe slalom World Cup in Augsburg, Germany as she seeks a sixth season title.
Olympic gold medalist Jessica Fox competing at the 2022 Canoe Slalom Australian Open at Penrith Whitewater Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, February 26, 2022. (AAP Image/Supplied by Paddle Australia, JGR Images)
Having finished qualifying in second place on Friday, Fox went into Saturday’s final as the fastest qualifier, completing the semi-final course a second and a half clear of her nearest rival.
Going last in the final, Fox put down a near-perfect run, attracting no penalties and finishing 6.51s ahead of France’s Angele Hug while Germany’s kayak gold medallist from Friday Elena Lilik picked up bronze more than half a second further back.
Having missed a gate in the kayak semi-finals on Friday, which denied her the opportunity to race for gold, Fox showed her ability to regroup was never in doubt and put her competitors on notice for the remainder of the season.
“It was a tough day on the water yesterday in the kayak and I was really frustrated, so I just wanted t o come back today and put down some good paddling,” Fox said.
“The first step was making that final, so there was relief there, but then in the final, last to start, and putting out a really good run, I was so happy. It was a really tricky course from start to finish.
“It’s always nice to start well. It is a long season, so hopefully we can keep building throughout the season. I’m really pleased to start off well in C1, hopefully next weekend will be better in the kayak as well.”
Australia’s Noemie Fox was 28th in the women’s canoe semi while in the men’s Tristan Carter was 29th, with neither progressing to the final.
AAP
