When Winter Meets Summer: Jakara Anthony and the Fox Sisters Connect  

Jakara Anthony and the Fox sisters, Jessica and Noemie, are Olympic champions who compete on different stages – and also on the different elements of ice and water – but their journeys often run parallel. 

That connection was highlighted at the 2025 Canoe Slalom AUS Open at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium, when Anthony, the Winter Olympic moguls gold medallist supported fellow New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athletes Jessica and Noemie Fox throughout the event. 

Anthony attended the Fox sisters’ training session before the competition, followed their races along the whitewater course’s bank, and she even shared her support of their podium performances on social media.  

A photo taken of the trio in between events not only symbolises the power of the individuals, but it also exemplifies the importance of ‘cross-sport connections’. 

According to 2004 Athens Olympic Games gold medallist Brad McGee, Anthony used her time with the sisters as an opportunity to observe the mental and physical demands of canoe slalom.

“Jakara looks for opportunities based on her current context and situation,” said McGee, the former champion cyclist who is now making a positive impact on sport as NSWIS’s High Perfoamce Coach Advisor.

“So, what a no brainer [it is for her] to connect with two fellow Olympic gold medallists!” 

“[Jakara] was connected with everyone out there, and [she was] welcomed in the environment,” he said. 

McGee explained how watching the Fox’s – who between them won each of the three gold medals that were on offer for women’s canoe slalom at last year’s Paris Olympics – provided Anthony with new insights. 

“It’s actually quite intimate, you’re right there next to the water,” he said of watching canoe slalom. “You see their final prep and how they’re going through their mental imagery.” 

“And then when they’re actually competing, you can see their eyes – it’s crazy!” 

While McGee said Anthony recognised similarities between her sport and canoe slalom, he noted that she also fed off the differences, saying they sparked new ideas. 

“She was certainly looking forward to get back into her environment with her coaches,” McGee said. 

“I think Jakara just got a whole lot of eagerness to get back into her training, [because what she had seen] from Jess and Noemie was inspiring.” 

McGee explained the meeting of the sporting heavyweights represented a major shift in attitude in elite sport. He revealed networking wasn’t encouraged during his era.  

“We were literally in in our silos,” McGee said, “It was discouraged to get outside of that.”  

“And there was no social media back then. The only time you got to interact with other sports was at the Olympic Games.” 

“But now, we realise that the power is through connection.” 

In his role as NSWIS’s High Performance Coach Advisor, McGee promotes cross-sports networking for both coaches and athletes.  

“When athletes get into those competition environments – for example, the Olympic Games – we’re hearing a positive talk on return from those that have been to Paris [2024 Games].” 

“It’s a part of the experience – sure, they’re competing, winning medals, but that connection they’ve got with their peers? That’s forever.” 

“And that is what was really cool about what we saw in Penrith with Jakara, Jess, and Noemie.” 

The timing of Anthony’s visit to Penrith was perfect as she is in the final 12 months of her next Olympic campaign. McGee said the connection between the three gold medallists was much more than just a photo opportunity for three champions – it was a ‘message’ for all athletes.  

“It’s a really good message to other athletes or anyone in a high performance arena, that connection and cross disciplined connection can be really beneficial,” McGee enthused.

 “When you connect with peers across disciplines, there can be some real power in it for everyone.” 

Images and story by Rachel Tingey, NSWIS