Jessica, Noemie Fox to race against each other after Paris Olympic gold in different events

In Paris Jessica and Noemie Fox watched each other win gold medals from the shoreline. In Penrith later this year the sisters will be pitted against each other in the search for world crowns

The Fox sisters at the world championships launch in Sydney. Picture: Supplied

It was a hug that warmed hearts around the world as two sisters embraced in sheer joy with their coach mother Myriam after winning gold in different races at the Paris Olympic canoe slalom competition.

Now, around 17000km from their historic moment on the rapids outside Paris, Jessica and Noemie Fox have 200 days to create another special moment on the water - but one that could look very different from their emotional celebrations in Paris.

Unlike Paris where Jess won gold in the C1 and K1 before Noemie’s success in the Kayak X - an event her sister was eliminated from in the heats - the pair will be racing against each other in a number of the same races at the first home world championships either have competed in.

And both can’t wait to take to their home whitewater at Penrith later this year alongside eight Australian teammates at the first world canoe slalom championships in Sydney in two decades.

Australia's Jessica Fox (R) congratulates her sister Noemie for winning in the women's kayak cross final. Picture: Bertrand Guay/AFP

“With Kate Eckhardt, there will be three of us going head to head in the individual races in kayak and canoe which will be good,’’ Noemie said.

“We’re looking forward to just racing at home.’’

Back in 2025 Jessica and Noemie had two different reactions watching Sydney paddler Robin Bell beat the world for this C1 crown at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium.

Jess Fox, with an arm broken in a gymnastics accident, said it ignited her dream of being an Olympic paddler.

Australia's gold medallists and Jessica and Noemie Fox were the toast of the town inn Paris. p

Noemie said she just enjoyed watching the racing, never imaging she would ever be doing the same thing 20 ears on at another world championship.

“I just remember watching and thinking, wow, these are the best in the world,’’ Noemie said at the 200 days to go launch in Sydney on Thursday.

“I don’t know if I though that I would ever be at that level in my lifetime.

“My Olympic dream only started later .’’

The Australian team named to compete at the world championships in Sydney. Picture: Supplied

Noemi said even if success comes her way in Penrith, nothing will ever top Paris for her.

“Paris was so special on so many fronts,’’ she said.

“The fact it was in the country I was born, the fact that Jess and I won all the female events and the fact that it was the first kayak cross gold - nothing will top that.

“But being at a home worlds could come close.’’

Jessica Fox said winning at home would be ‘”one of the most special moments of my career’’.

“If I can pull that off, I think winning a world title is always incredibly special, there’s so much work and effort that goes into it, such a big team behind it.

“But when you can do that at home, with an added expectation of pressure, atmosphere, people you love and who support you and who can be there to see it, I think it makes it so much more special.

“Coming into these world champs I want to be as best I can be. It’s a one in a career opportunity.’’

During the six days of competition from September 29 medal races will be held daily, starting with the Kayak Cross Individual Time Trials.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM – 2025 ICF SLALOM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tim Anderson (NSW) – Men’s Kayak, Men’s Kayak Cross

Kaylen Bassett (NSW) – Men’s Canoe

Tristan Carter (VIC) – Men’s Canoe

Lucien Delfour (NSW) – Men’s Kayak, Men’s Kayak Cross

Kate Eckhardt (TAS) – Women’s Kayak, Women’s Canoe

Jessica Fox (NSW) – Women’s Kayak, Women’s Canoe, Women’s Kayak Cross

Noemie Fox (NSW) – Women’s Kayak, Women’s Canoe, Women’s Kayak Cross

Ben Pope (WA) – Men’s Kayak, Men’s Kayak Cross

Georgie O’Callaghan (VIC) – Women’s Kayak Cross

Ben Ross (VIC) – Men’s Canoe

Originally published as Jessica, Noemie Fox to race against each other after Paris Olympic gold in different events