Tokyo Olympics: Jess Fox wins world cup C1 gold, K1 bronze in first racing since Covid

Paddler Jess Fox has overcome isolation, the restrictions of a global pandemic and a natural disaster to finally taste success again - just in time for her Olympic bid.

Jessica Fox racing at 2021 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Prague. Pic: Bence Vekassy canoephotography.com

Australian paddler Jess Fox is back where she belongs on the top step of the dais in her first international event after 21 months away from rivals, friends and top level competition.

Fox told NewsLocal from Prague her C1 world cup gold medal on Monday is a major confidence booster ahead of her third Olympics.

“It’s just so nice to be racing again,’’ Fox, who turned 27 on the weekend, said in a call after her victory.

“And to win before Tokyo is great.

“You can try and replicate this (racing) in training by putting yourself in pressure situations but nothing compares to actually doing it.

Jessica Fox winning her gold medal in Prague on Monday.

“There are a lot of positives from this. I have good speed, good technique after some good work and I’d like to think the hard work in the gym has paid off.

“It’s a great test.’’

Fox finished more than four seconds ahead of German world champion Andrea Herzog and local world No. 3 Tereza Fiserova.

JESS FOX WINS BRONZE AT WORLD CUP MEET

Fox was caught up in the recent and devastating NSW floods with rising waters in Sydney’s west at one stage forcing the multiple world champion to paddle from her car into the Whitewater Stadium at Penrith.

Jessica Fox during the recent floods.

Fox, who trained on her own in a backyard swimming pool during the Covid lockdown, and another Australian paddlers were also left high and dry due to issues with their canoe slalom training arena and unable to travel to test themselves in major events due to the pandemic.

It was a less than perfect lead-up to her international return and first major meet since the world championships in September 2019.

The Penrith paddler showed she is right up there for medal success in Tokyo right off the bat with a bronze at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Prague in the K1 event on Sunday.

Jessica Fox racing at 2021 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Prague.

Two gate touches saw Fox finish behind Polish duo Klaudia Zwolinska and Natalia Pacierpnik.

“It was great to be back here and go through those processes again, getting to the semi, getting into the final. The course was challenging today, the conditions are challenging with the wind and low poles, so I’m really happy to get a medal. It was not the perfect run, but I’m happy to see I’ve got the speed and I just need to tidy up the touches.’’

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Originally published as Tokyo Olympics: Jess Fox wins world cup C1 gold, K1 bronze in first racing since Covid