Olympic Champion and NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Jess Fox has claimed back to back gold medals taking out the Women’s C1 crown at the ICF Slalom World Cup final in Paris overnight.

The win secured Fox the overall C1 World Cup crown, at the same venue that will host the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in just under 300 days.

Fox is now the 2023 World Cup overall winner in both the C1 and K1, showing her consistency and resolve in what has been a huge year for the triple Olympian.

“It was amazing to put down that run in the (C1) final. I had some issues with penalties in gates one and two, so to finish off strong today, to take the win… amazing weekend.

“It’s been an amazing season to take the overall (crown) in the C1 as well (as the K1).  It’s never easy to line up and race, especially with this long season and big program and I am exhausted today, so I am really happy.

“It shows I’ve been consistent throughout the season, there’s always some ups and downs at certain world cups, but I’ve felt good, I’ve raced well. The standard of women’s paddling is always increasing, and it’s never a given you know, you always have to show up.

“It’s been a near perfect season, but there are still things to improve on and things to work on. I’ve never raced a test event before in the lead-up to a Games, so this was different, this was new, and it was great to get that first look and that first feel on the Paris course,” she said.

The World Cup Final doubled as the Test Event for the Paris Olympic Games, with crowds lining the course to cheer on the world’s best.

With Fox’s strong French family connection, she felt great support from the crowd and gave them a special shout in french.

“I really felt them (the crowd) behind me… thank you so much to the crowd,” she said.

It was a family affair in the Women’s C1 final, with Jess’ sister Noemie finishing in seventh place overall.

In the Men’s K1 Final, dual Olympian and NSWIS scholarship holder Lucien Delfour delivered a strong finals performance finishing sixth overall.

Article and image courtesy of Paddle Australia

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