Penrith paddler Jessica Fox heading to third Olympics after K1 silver at world canoe slalom
The first athletes heading to the Olympics were named recently. Now it looks like a Penrith paddler will be joining them in Tokyo next year.
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Jess Fox has won her 14th world championship medal and bar injury or mishap will be on the flight to Tokyo to compete at her third Olympic Games in 2020.
Off the back of a gold medal in the C1 teams event, Fox finished with silver in the K1 final in Spain on Sunday, missing out on the main prize by just 0.42 secs.
Subject to official nomination, Fox with now be joining the first three athletes named for Tokyo - sailors Mat Belcher, Will Ryan and Matt Wearn - in the team accomodation in Japan.
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Fox locked in the women’s K1 quota spot for Australia on Thursday by making the K1 semi-final.
Based on the Australian Olympic Team nomination criteria, a silver medal at La Seu by Fox satisfies the early nomination requirements to gain selection for Tokyo 2020.
I think this is probably the tightest podium we’ve seen. It was such a hot final and I’m stoked to be on the podium
“It’s all unofficial I guess but I’m emotional, really happy and really pleased to have put down a performance to earn that spot and I guess that’s why I’m still thrilled with the podium,” Fox said.
“Obviously to win is really special but to be on the podium is still amazing especially when it’s got this value and means that I booked my spot to Tokyo.”
Fox’s individual medal haul at world championships is nine, which includes seven gold. Her five others have been won in team events.
“Of course, I wanted to defend the title,” Fox said after her race on Sunday.
“I think I raced really well in that final and .042 is all that was missing between second place and first place and I don’t know where they were. Maybe at the finish line, maybe in the middle section.
“I think this is probably the tightest podium we’ve seen. It was such a hot final and I’m stoked to be on the podium.’’
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Last week Fox, sister Noemie and fellow Penrith paddler Ros Lawrence combined their forces to win a team gold at the world canoe slalom championships.
The C1 team gold was a stunning start to the world championships in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, for the three paddlers and the first world title in the class since 2015.
Originally published as Penrith paddler Jessica Fox heading to third Olympics after K1 silver at world canoe slalom