Fox seals double gold in Prague

Jessica Fox has continued her incredible comeback onto the world stage, claiming a second gold medal in two days at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague to complete a stunning K1-C1 double less than two weeks after returning to international competition.

Just 24 hours after claiming victory in the women’s K1, Fox completed the kayak-canoe double on Saturday, winning the women’s C1 title on Prague’s demanding Troja course.

The challenging venue delivered drama throughout the day, with many of the world’s best paddlers unable to avoid costly mistakes. But Fox once again showcased her trademark resilience and competitive spirit to rise above the field and secure another gold medal.

The result caps a remarkable comeback for the three-time Olympic gold medallist, who only returned to international competition last week after a nine-month absence following surgery. Fox has also been managing a wrist injury during her return to racing.

Afterwards, Fox – a New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder – reflected on the journey back to the top.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time now and I need to trust myself and trust my skills,” Fox said. “Throughout the whole surgery and recovery process, I kept telling myself the mind remembers, the body remembers, I can come back from this and I’ll be back.

“Coming off the back of Slovenia last week, I was battling with a wrist injury, so I’ve been managing that. I think I’m feeling much better this week and more confident in my paddling.”

Competing in C1 for the first time since her surgery, Fox was tested throughout the final. Touches on gates 17 and 18 added four penalty seconds to her run, but the Australian champion refused to let the mistakes derail her campaign.

Digging deep through the closing stages of the course, Fox stopped the clock in 121.01 seconds to secure victory and complete an unforgettable weekend.

“This one feels extremely special,” Fox said. “I definitely didn’t expect to win that run. It felt really hard down the bottom section and I think for me it was a lesson in never giving up and holding it together, staying composed right until the finish.

“I’m really proud of the fight and the determination I showed out there today.”

Racing continues at the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague this evening. Click here for the schedule and results. Catch live racing on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.

Paddle Australia

Photos: Romain Bruneau/Paddle Australia