She’s more used to winning gold than silver but Paris Olympic hope Jessica Fox isn’t overly concerned about the colour of her recent World Cup haul in Europe for a very good reason.
While uncharacteristic mistakes cost her gold medals in both the C1 and K1 racing, the Penrith paddler still managed to post the fastest time in both finals in an encouraging sign for the Paris Olympics.
The Prague World Cup is one of Fox’s last major events before heading to France for more training in the final lead-in to the Olympics.
Fox was just relieved the event went ahead after flooding threatened to curtail the racing late last week.
“There was a bit of uncertainty a few days ago with the flooding, but they’ve managed it really well, we’ve all adapted, changed the format and I think that worked really well and we’ve made the best of the situation, so no issues from me,’’ Fox said.
Jessica Fox training in the Olympic venue in Vaires-sur-Marne, near Paris
“Another World Cup in Kraków next weekend before heading to Paris for a good block of training. This is our racing block and then we’ll get back to some good training with less than 50 days to go, it’s exciting.’’
Touches which incurred time penalties on the whitewater course cost Fox a pair of golds but she still posted the fastest times in both events with just less than 50n days to go to the Games.
“It was a really good run, there were some good attacking bits, I improved on my semi but unfortunately the penalties cost me the win today,’’ said Fox, preparing for her fourth Olymics and considered one of Ausrralia’s leading gold medal hopefuls.
“I was a bit frustrated with the last touch but very happy to be racing here.’’
The kayak cross event, in which Fox’s sister Noemie is hoping to race in Paris, will be contested early Monday with the final doubling as a last-chance Olympic qualifier.
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