Jess Fox OAM in action in the WC1 Final in World Cup 2. Photos courtesy of Paddle Photography / Paddle Australia.
World and Olympic champion Jess Fox OAM has won back-to-back World Cup silver medals at the ICF World Cup 2 in Prague, finishing second in both the Women’s Kayak and Canoe Finals.
Jess added the WC1 silver medal to Friday’s WK1 silver medal, as she continues to build towards the Paris Olympic Games.
As she did in the Kayak Final, Jess posted the fastest time on course but uncharacteristic penalties on course proved costly for the Olympic Champion.
She was however pleased to once again finish on the podium, with one more World Cup to go before the main show at the Paris Olympic 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. I was a bit frustrated with the last touch but very happy to be racing here. It’s an amazing atmosphere and good to be on the start line feeling those nerves.
“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.
“Another World Cup in Kraków [Poland] 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,” Jess said.
Friday’s racing took place under revised racing conditions in Prague, after high river levels forced the postponement of the opening day of competition. There was just one heat run in both the men’s and women’s K1, with the top ten in both progressing straight to the Final.
After qualifying in second place, Jess recorded the fastest time on course but penalties on course proved costly, with the World Champion taking the silver medal.
Fellow Australian Kaylen Bassett made it through to the Men’s Kayak (MK1) Final, where he delivered a PB to finish 7th overall.
