Paris 2024 Olympic slalom: Paddler Mark Crosbee hoping to join canoe cousin Jess Fox on team

It’s not an ideal lead-in - seven injuries in the space of a few weeks - but this rising star of paddling with a famous cousin has found an upside ahead of Olympic trials starting this weekend.

Young paddler Mark Crosbee in action. Picture: Supplied

It’s hardly a dream run to Olympic selection regattas - a back injury, heel bursitis and other assorted pains, strains and niggles.

But there is one upside to Mark Crosbee’s hindered lead in to the Slalom Oceania championships this weekend and next week’s Australian Open at the Penrith whitewater centre in Sydney’s west.

The 20-year-old cousin of paddling superstar Jess Fox has revealed his recent run of injury has actually made him far more relaxed than usual heading into major paddling events where he races both the C1 and K1 men’s events.

“I've had a rough run with seven injuries that include ongoing lower back issues and a heel bursitis in the last few months,’’ Crosbee said.

“I've done nowhere near as much training load as the rest of the guys so I have no expectations on myself and no pressure so I’m paddling pretty freely.

Paddler Mark Crosbee is chasing Paris Olympic selection. Picture: Supplied

“I'm not as fit but it's only a 90 second course.’’

Given a history overcoming obstacles to success, Crosbee - who made a World Cup senior final after a week of gastro last year - is still giving the Paris Olympic selection racing “a red hot crack’’.

Australia is looking to qualify a country quota for the Olympics in the C1 at this weekend’s Oceania championships where paddlers from New Zealand and Samoa will also take to the water.

Jessica Fox is a paddling great.

Young paddler Mark Crosbee in action. Picture: Supplied

The Penrith event is also part of the Australian selection process for both the men's C1 and K1 paddlers hoping to race in Paris.

Crosbee, raised in Eltham, Victoria, but now studying engineering at UNSW and living and training out west, is just one of a group of young paddlers keen to pull off a surprise win over more senior members of the Australian team.

Favourites in the C1 include Tristan Carter and Kaylan Bassett.

Tim Anderson and dual Olympian Lucien Delfour will go head-to-head in the men’s K1 racing for a spot on the Paris team.

Anderson qualified Australia a spot in the boat in Paris at the 2023 world championships with his fifth place finish.

Fox, who is also competing at the two events, is one of only three athletes already named on the Paris Olympic team competing at the 2024 Games later this year.

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Originally published as Paris 2024 Olympic slalom: Paddler Mark Crosbee hoping to join canoe cousin Jess Fox on team