Fox shines in her U23 Worlds farewell
In her final appearance at an Under-23 Canoe Slalom World Championships, Sydney's Jessica Fox bounced back from the heartbreak of missing a medal in the women’s single canoe by winning gold in the women’s single kayak on July 23.
IN her final appearance at an Under-23 Canoe Slalom World Championships, Sydney’s Jessica Fox bounced back from the heartbreak of missing a medal in the women’s C1 (single canoe) by winning gold in the women’s K1 (single kayak) in Bratislava on July 23.
The Rio Olympics K1 bronze medallist and London silver medallist, who turned 23 in June, also won bronze – together with her younger sister Noemie and fellow Australian Kate Eckhardt – in the women’s K1 teams event.
But before celebration came disappointment for Jessica.
Missing a gate along the rapids course cost her a 50-second penalty in the C1 final, shifting her from first place to 10th in an instant.
Worst still, she was unaware of the judges’ decision when her boat crossed the finish line.
Noemie, 19, was quick in the C1 heats, but struck trouble in the semi-final and missed out on a finals spot.
Jessica proved her class in the women’s K1 final, racing to ensure a fast but error-free negotiation of the Bratislava course.
It was enough to win her gold in a time of 101.21 ahead of Ana Satila and Klaudia Zwolinska.
“Yesterday was pretty draining emotionally – this is 50 times sweeter,” Jessica said.
“I didn’t want to give the video judges any chance of giving me an asterix [penalty]. To come around and get back out there [and win], it’s what I love.”
Jessica will not be eligible for the U23 world championships next year.
Both Fox sisters will now focus on preparing for the last two rounds of the 2017 World Cup series which resumes in September, and then the 2017 [Open] World Championships.
SHANE DESIATNIK
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