‘She made mistakes’: Dad’s brutal call of Jess Fox’s missed gold medal

It was supposed to be third time lucky for Jess Fox but two crucial mistakes cost her gold — and her dad saw it all from the commentary box.

Jess Fox just missed out on gold

Jess Fox had every right to feel incredibly proud after claiming bronze in the K-1 slalom final but her face said it all as she missed out on the elusive Olympics gold medal she’s been hunting for years.

A silver medal in London was followed by bronze in Rio five years ago after a controversial call by the officials, but there was no doubt this time around about the four seconds’ worth of time penalties that cost her first place.

Fox made contact twice at gates four and 25, each delivering her a two-second penalty. They hurt big time – relegating her to third.

Had she made her way through the course without any blemishes, Fox would have been wearing gold around her neck. She reached the finish line in 102.73 seconds but with her penalties added on, that changed to 106.73.

Germany’s Ricarda Funk was thankful for Fox’s slip-ups, taking out the main prize in a time of 105.50 while Spain’s Maialen Chourraut claimed silver in 106.63 seconds.

Fox’s dad Richard is a canoeing commentator for Channel 7 and was in the unique position of calling his daughter’s final, admitting the 27-year-old “made mistakes”.

“I’m proud. She was in the race, she made mistakes, she came back,” Fox said. “She was still in the race right down to the wire and comes away with a bronze.

“Look, what a fight! Credit to Maialen Chourraut. She is a racer. Maybe Jess chased her too hard, but (she has the) C1 to come, so that fire will be burning.”

Plenty made reference to how tough it must have been for Richard to remain professional while his heart was pounding.

“This is kind of bats*** crazy that Richard Fox is commentating on his own daughter’s gold medal tilt,” Herald Sun footy reporter Jon Ralph tweeted.

Andrew Hawkins wrote: “How tough would that be for Richard Fox commentating his daughter going for gold as the hot favourite?”

Fox admitted it was “disappointing” but was “proud” to be standing on the podium, and saw the bright side to walking away with a medal despite her blues.

“To be on the podium with that mistake is amazing,” she said.

Two mistakes cost Fox dearly.

Close but no cigar.

Fox dominated her heats and semi-final and looked on track to finally achieve her destiny. But that terrific form counted for nothing in the final when each competitor gets one shot at glory. Two tiny mistakes was all that stood between Fox and top spot on the podium.

Everyone back home was glued to their TV screens to watch one of the most loved Australian athletes in Tokyo and they were proud but at the same time devastated the three-time Olympian wasn’t able to win the gold medal she desperately wanted.

Comedian Dave Hughes tweeted: “The final touch did it. I thought she was already cooked. With her dad commentating. My god.”

Wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott wrote: “Jess Fox. An incredible athlete but an even better person. I know you’ll be bummed but you’re still a champ on and off the water.”

Journalist Callum Goode added: “Absolutely shattered for Jess Fox. One touch away from gold. Bronze is still a brilliant effort though.”

Former Hockeyroo Georgie Parker said: “Oh my heart breaks for Jessie.”

Journalist James Maasdorp added: “Oh, Jess Fox. Great recovery for bronze but gutted all the same.”

Radio host Ryan Fitzgerald tweeted: “THAT LAST TOUCH!! Still a champion.”