Rio a memory as Fox powers on for world cup gold

NSWIS paddler Jessica Fox has found fine form to win the C1 world cup round in Prague, Czech Republic just weeks after claiming a second Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro.

Almost seven seconds separated Fox and her nearest challenger, Katerina Hoskova of the Czech Republic; the win was a reminder of Fox’s ability to consistently be among the best canoe slalom athletes in the world. Great Britain’s Mallory Franklin was third.

With a silver medal from the London Olympics and bronze from Rio, Fox had originally planned to miss the last two rounds of this years world cup season in Prague and Tacen, Slovenia. However after her performance in Rio she back flipped on that decision, and claimed victory on the same course she won her C1 world title on in 2013.

Jetting from Rio to Sydney and then to Europe to compete in the world cup, Fox said she was glad she changed her mind on whether or not she would compete, hoping to wrap up the season the way she wanted to.

“It’s partly the frustration of unfinished business,” Fox said.

“I hadn’t planned on doing the last two races, but after Rio I decided I still wanted to paddle and race, plus I love Prague and haven’t raced in Tacen in a couple years and that is one of the most challenging races.

“I also wanted to get back in the C1 and catch up with all my paddling friends before we all part for the year.”

The win places Fox third overall in the C1 world cup table ahead of the final in Tacen this weekend.

While the C1 may not have been on the program in Rio, it has been included for Tokyo in 2020, giving Fox another event to target. However in the wash up from Rio, Fox was adamant that she hasn’t spent long thinking about the bronze medal she won in blustery conditions.

“I move on fairly quickly,” she said.

“I have had time now to reflect on my race and I’m really proud to have achieved a second Olympic medal. Our sport is tough, and the weather conditions were pretty hard to deal with on race day.

“I feel that I was really well prepared, fit and paddling really well in the lead up to the race. I had no regrets. I guess my only frustration is that I wasn’t able to unleash it all during the final and felt I had to hold back a little because of the wind.

Unfortunately Fox did not progress past the semi finals of the K1 in Prague, finishing 17^th.

Highlights of the event in Prague can be viewed on Eurosport TV this Friday, September 9 at 3pm AEST.

Fox will next be in action this weekend in Tacen for the world cup final. Competition will commence for Fox with the first run of C1 competition on Friday September 9.