Jess Fox has wrapped up the 2022 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, winning one gold and two silver medals on an exciting weekend of racing at the iconic Augsburg Whitewater venue in Germany, the site of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
In an impressive performance in the last women’s event on the 3-day program, Jessica defended her 2021 World Championship title in the Extreme Slalom, after previously coming second in the Women’s Canoe (WC1) earlier in the day, and second in the Women’s Kayak (WK1) on Saturday.
Extreme Canoe Slalom will premiere as an Olympic event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and with two consecutive World Championship titles, Jessica will undoubtedly be one of the favourites in Paris.
Jessica channelled her family history on Saturday, winning kayak silver at the same venue her father Richard Fox had won World Championship gold in the Men’s K1 in 1985.
“You can hear the fans banging on the signs, you can hear the clapping and you can hear the cheers… I don’t think I’ve ever raced with an atmosphere like that, it’s been incredible,” said Jessica.
“It was amazing to be out there. I was nervous but just excited to be out there and racing here in Augsburg.
“I put down a good run (in the WK1), until the last up left where I made a mistake and lost my paddle for a second… a silver medal, I’m really proud of the way I raced,” she said.
Richard was among the crowd and Jessica paid tribute to his previous success at the venue.
“It is so special to race here in Augsburg and I tried to channel the ‘fierce Fox’ I know he (Dad) was in 1985, when he won here,” she said.
Ironically, it was another up left gate which undoubtedly cost Jessica a gold in the WC1, losing precious time before eventually falling short of victory by just 0.92 of a second.
Following her success in the Extreme Slalom, Jessica said “I’m so pleased with this and so grateful to become World Champion on the same course as my dad in 1985. I finally got it, which is very cool and I can’t thank everyone enough for the support.”
