A rampant Jessica Fox smashed the best canoe slalom paddlers in the world to make it five gold medals from five World Cup starts when she won the women’s K1 final at Canoe Slalom World Cup 3 in Augsburg, Germany, on Saturday (7 July).
Fox finished an incredible six seconds ahead of Great Britain’s Mallory Franklin to give the Australian her third K1 World Cup title in 2018.
Fox was the star of Saturday, racing down the Augsburg course in 102.10, ahead of Franklin’s 108.56. Slovenia’s Eva Tercelj picked up the bronze.
“It was great, I really attacked it and I improved on my semi-final where I wanted to,” Fox said.
“I thought after my s-gate at the finish I thought I had a 105, but to see a 102 I’m just blown away, I am so happy.
“I can’t believe it, it’s been an incredible start to the season. I know last year Ricarda (Funk) won three gold medals and I was three times second, so to get up on that stop this time is wonderful.”
Rosalyn Lawrence (NSW) made her first K1 final of the season, but picked up a 50-second penalty for a missed gate and had to settle for tenth place, while Kate Eckhardt (TAS) finished 15th in the semi-finals.
In the men’s C1, Ian Borrows (NSW) finished 20th and Daniel Watkins (TAS) 28th in the semi-final.
There were plenty of surprises on Saturday, with the Rio 2016 gold and silver medallists in both the men’s C1 and the women’s K1 failing to make the finals.
Spain’s Maialen Chourraut and New Zealand’s Luuka Jones, both missed the women’s K1 final, while France’s Denis Gargaud Chanut and Slovakia’s Matej Benus missed the men’s medal race. Great Britain’s David Florence, a winner last week in Krakow, also missed the final.
There was a popular hometown win for Sideris Tasiadis in the men’s C1, giving the German his second gold medal of the season. Tasiadis finished just ahead of the ultra-consistent Slovak, Alexander Slafkovsky, who recorded his third consecutive silver medal of the season. Slovenia’s Luka Bozic finished third.
Racing continues on Sunday, 8 July with the semifinals in the women’s C1 and Jess Fox, Noemie Fox (NSW) and Rosalyn Lawrence at the start line from 9:03 CET (17:03 AEST). Finals are scheduled from 12:03 (20:03 AEST).
Lucien Delfour (NSW) and Tim Anderson (NSW) will contest the men’s K1 semifinals from 10:08 CET (18:08 AEST). Finals are scheduled form 12:40 (20:40 AEST).
Follow live stream via www.canoeicf.com
All results here.
RESULTS WOMEN’S K1 FINAL
- FOX Jessica (AUS) 102.10
- FRANKLIN Mallory (GBR) 108.56
- TERCELJ Eva (SLO) 108.86 (2)
10. LAWRENCE Rosalyn (AUS) 164.60 (52)
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