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AUSSIES BUILD MOMENTUM AT PRAGUE WORLD CUP

Paddle Australia

The Australian Canoe Slalom Team will head to the next round of the World Cup series full of confidence after producing a number of strong performances at World Cup 2 in Prague.

New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Jessica Fox led the charge with gold medals in both the women’s K1 and C1 events, while Timothy Anderson (NSWIS/pictured) made the men’s K1 final, and Merle Long (NSWIS) delivered a strong performance to place sixth in the men’s kayak cross on the final day.

Across both slalom and kayak cross disciplines, the Australian team gained valuable racing experience and important World Cup points as preparations continue for the 2026 World Championships.

Competing in just her second international event since returning from a nine-month absence following surgery, Fox continued the momentum she built at the opening World Cup in Slovenia, where she claimed silver in the women’s K1.

Her victories mean the Australian superstar leaves the opening two rounds of the World Cup series with three medals from four starts.

Australia’s men’s K1 contingent was led by Timothy Anderson, who finished 12th after progressing through to the final.

In the women’s C1, making her first World Cup appearance of the 2026 season, Noemie Fox (NSWIS) narrowly missed a finals berth, finishing 13th, while the Australian men continued to show encouraging depth in C1 competition. Kaylen Bassett (NSWIS) produced the team’s best result in 15th, with Tristan Carter 18th and Lachlan Bassett 26th.

The team’s campaign concluded with the kayak cross competition on Sunday, where several Australians advanced deep into the elimination rounds.

Noemie Fox progressed through the early rounds before being eliminated in the quarter-finals finishing in 12th. The result secured valuable World Cup ranking points early in the season as she continues to build momentum for 2026.

“I think last year was a big pressure year for me, my first season as an Olympic champion,” said Fox. “I think I put a lot of pressure on myself.”

“I’m just trying to find the little joys in the sport as well, which has been refreshing.”

Anderson backed up his K1 final appearance by also reaching the kayak cross quarter-finals, while Merle Long produced one of the standout performances of the day. Long advanced all the way to the semi-finals before narrowly missing a place in the medal race, finishing 6th overall.

The Prague results build on a promising start to the international season for the Australian team, which opened the World Cup campaign in Slovenia with Fox claiming silver in the women’s K1 and Tristan Carter reaching the men’s C1 final.

With World Cup 2 now complete, the Australian Canoe Slalom Team will turn its attention to ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 3 in Augsburg, Germany this weekend.

The team continues to build towards the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City, USA, taking place in July at the venue that will host canoe slalom competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

UPCOMING CANOE SLALOM EVENTS

• 12-14 June 2026 – ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 3, Augsburg, Germany
• 20-25 July 2026 – ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, Oklahoma City, USA
• 3-5 September 2026 – ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 4, Paris, France
• 10-13 September 2026 – ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Final, La Seu d’Urgell, Spain

For all results from World Cup 1 in Prague, click here.

For images (Credit Romain Bruneau/Paddle Australia), click here.

AUSTRALIA CANOE SLALOM TEAM RESULTS

Women’s K1

Jessica Fox (NSWIS) – 1st
Noemie Fox (NSWIS) – 36th

Men’s K1

Timothy Anderson (NSWIS)- 12th
Lucien Delfour (NSWIS) – 59th
Benjamin Pope – 63rd

Women’s C1

Jessica Fox (NSWIS)- 1st
Noemie Fox (NSWIS) – 13th

Men’s C1

Kaylen Bassett (NSWIS) -15th
Tristan Carter – 18th
Lachlan Bassett – 26th

Women’s Kayak Cross