Jessica Fox dominates Oceania Championships in first competition since Olympics
Jessica Fox has claimed the Oceania K1 title in her first competition since the glory days of Paris, where she won two Olympic gold medals.
After six months away from international racing, Fox didn’t skip a beat as she powered to another title on her home course in Penrith, which will also host the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in October.
Fox crossed the line after a penalty-free run in a time of 104.41 to take the win.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.She finished more than four seconds ahead of Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska in second, while France’s Camille Prigent was third.
Noemie Fox, who claimed a memorable kayak cross gold in Paris, was just outside the medals in fourth.
Zwolinksa also won silver behind Fox at last year’s Games where the Australian great increased her Olympic haul to six medals, including three gold.
“It was good to be out there, to be out on the start line,” said 30-year-old Fox.
“I wasn’t really sure how I was going to feel but I felt good and I attacked it so I’m proud of myself.
“With the world championships here in October we’re seeing more international athletes come this summer so it’s awesome to be sharing the start line with so many of them.”
Kiwi Finn Butcher, who became the first man to win gold in the newly minted kayak cross in Paris, finished second in the men’s K1 in Penrith.
Frenchman Mathieu Biazizzo posted the quickest time but was ineligible to win, leaving Butcher as the Oceania champion.
Australia’s two-time Olympian Lucien Delfour rounded out the podium in third.
The C1 final, the Olympic event which Fox won for the second time in Paris, will be contested later on Saturday.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
