Canoe slalom paddler Ros Lawrence has started the year on a high by being crowned national champion in the women’s K1 at the Australian Championships in Tasmania.

Lawrence defeated fellow NSWIS athletes Jessica and Noemie Fox en route to gold in the Olympic event after posting a time of 86.75 in the final.

“I had a really solid run and it all went to plan so I am pretty happy with that,” Lawrence said to Australian Canoeing after the event.

Jessica Fox was crowned champion in the women’s C1 event after a dominating performance that saw her win by over three seconds despite picking up a two second penalty.

The paddlers will now focus on the first Olympic selection event of the year at the Australian Open from 5-7 February, before the Oceania Championships take place from 19-21 February.