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Fox, Bassett and Carter earn Australian Open podium spots

Paddle Australia

Australia’s top canoe slalom paddlers delivered valiant performances in the C1 events to finish on the podium at the end of day one of the 2026 Australian Open at Penrith Whitewater Stadium.

New South Wales Institute of Sport scholarship holder Noemie Fox continued her strong start to the 2026 season with another silver medal in the women’s C1 event. Fox showed impressive paddling in the C1 heats, finishing as the fastest woman on the rapids. Same as the Penrith Open, Zuzana Pankova (SVK) claimed the gold medal in the final.

“Another really strong qualification and I just need to improve my finals a little bit to get on the first position but I’m really happy to get on the podium again. I’m feeling really good in my canoe so it’s nice,” Fox said.

“It’s been a bit of a turbulent journey with my canoe. I think post-Paris (2024 Olympics), I wanted to give that discipline up and just focus on kayak (K1) and kayak cross but now I’m really loving it and re-found a lot of joy paddling.

“I’m really excited for the season. I feel super connected in the boat and feel that I’ve improved a lot and that it’s paying off at the right time.”

2025 World Championship bronze medalist, Kaylen Bassett (NSWIS) found his groove after just missing a podium last weekend. The silver medal is his first podium result since the world championships back in September last year.

“To be on the podium again with Tristan (Carter) and Ziga (Hocevar), it was a great result. I’ve shared the podium with Tristan at this event for the last few years, it’s nice to have this little hot streak between us going, and I hope we can continue it next year as well,” Bassett said.

“To have finished fourth last weekend at the Penrith Open was pretty close but not quite there, so to come out and back it up this weekend with a second place, I’m pretty happy with that.”

Paris 2024 Olympian Tristan Carter rose to the occasion with national selection on the line. After missing the C1 final at the Penrith Open last weekend following equipment failure in the C1 heat, Carter was back to his best and finished third on the podium today.

“There was a lot of pressure going into this one. I just tried to do what I always do – tried to be me, and being me was enough.

“It makes me feel good. I’m happy to deliver once again under that much pressure and pull it out when I need to. I’ve put myself in a good position to go to another World Championships,” Carter said.

Paddlers will be back at Penrith Whitewater Stadium tomorrow for the men’s and women’s K1 events starting from 9:15am AEDT.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 1 RESULTS

Women’s C1

1st – Zuzana Pankova (SVK)

2nd – Noemie Fox (AUS)

3rd – Klaudia Zwolinska (POL)

Men’s C1

1st – Ziga Lin Hocevar (SLO)

2nd – Kaylen Bassett (AUS)

3rd – Tristan Carter (AUS)

For Australian Open schedule and results, click here

Paddle Australia