Australia’s Jess Fox out to defend her world canoe title at the scene of her Olympic bronze
AUSTRALIA’S Jess Fox has the chance to defend her K1 world title on the same rapids she won Olympic bronze — with a view towards becoming the most successful slalom paddler in history.
Women's sport
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JESSICA Fox is hoping to end the best international season of her life with a splash — and potentially a world title or two.
The canoe slalom sensation has returned to the course which delivered her a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics chasing world championship success in the K1 and C1 events.
On Thursday and Friday she qualified fastest in both events ahead of weekend finals.
Fox is the reigning K1 world champion — the event in which she won her Olympic bronze in at the 2016 Olympics.
She is a former C1 world champion and hoping to regain the title after a stunning season of success on the World Cup circuit.
“It’s been a great season and my best World Cup season, to win all five (World Cups) in C1 is something that’s never been done and to take out the overall in both categories was very exciting and shows that I’ve had a really consistent year,” Fox said.
“This is the last race of the year so I am excited to give it everything and put it all out there to be on the podium in both events.”
Fox has made a flying start at the regatta, qualifying for both her events and on Friday posting the fastest time in the C1 when she pipped Great Britain’s reigning world champion Mallory Franklin and her teammate Kimberley Woods.
If Fox wins the C1 title she will be the first slalom athlete to go through an entire international season undefeated.
“I think last year was really disappointing and frustrating,” said Fox of being unable to defend her C1 crown.
“But that happens and it’s just about learning and coming back stronger.
“I’ve been feeling good, I’ve changed boats and tried different things so I’m just looking forward to racing here again.
“Last time we came here there was only K1, so now to do both is really nice.”
Fox’s younger sister, Noemie, has also qualified for the final along with Ros Lawrence.
Fox has the goal of competing in and winning both the K1 and the new women’s Olympic C1 class at the Tokyo Games in 2020.
“The dream is the double gold in Tokyo but each year, each race is different and I take it one at a time,” she said