Fox creates history in the USA

NSWIS paddler Jessica Fox created history over the weekend by becoming the first athlete to win C1 and K1 canoe slalom gold at the same world championship event.

Fox opened her campaign with the successful defence of the C1 world title she won last year in the Czech Republic, posting a time nearly six seconds better than her nearest rival to secure gold.

The 20 year old then backed up in the women’s K1 the next day, securing gold with a time that was just 0.96 seconds ahead of second place.

Fox’s win marked the first time in history an athlete had won women’s C1 and K1 gold at the same world championship event, and came 25 years after her mother and father won K1 world championship gold in the USA.

“It is very special. To win the double in both events, to have such a great World Championships it could not have been any better this weekend,” Fox said to Australian Canoeing after the race.

“To do it 25 years after my parents both won at the World Championships in the USA on Savage River is really special and I think we will all be cherishing this moment,” Fox said.

Several of Fox’s fellow NSWIS athletes posted top-10 finishes at the championships with Rosalyn Lawrence finishing fifth in the women’s C1; Lucien Delfour finishing fifth in the men’s K1, and Delfour and Will Forsythe finishing seventh in the men’s K1 team.