Career-Best C1 Result For Daniel Watkins On Penultimate Day of Canoe Slalom World Cup

It was a rare day without medals for the Australian canoe slalom team on Saturday, but the signs are good for some strong performances on Sunday when the second ICF canoe slalom world cup continues in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Jessica Fox had to settle for sixth in her final of the women’s K1 after once again finding difficulty on the challenging fast water in Bratislava.

The reigning world champion snatched the final spot in the final after problems in her semi-final, but could not improve on her run in the medal race.

“It was very lucky for me to be in the final to start with, because I made a big mistake in the semi-final, but managed to really push to the finish,” Fox said.

“In a way it was a lesson to never give up, because anything can happen. And my final run was solid until the finish, unfortunately. I came a little bit unstuck in the last two ups, which are really tight moves.

“So, no medal today, but it’s another final and you can always learn from these runs.”

Daniel Watkins had a career-best result in the men’s C1, finishing 11^th, but it could have been a very different story for the Tasmanian paddler.

Daniel Watkins, Photo Bence Vekassy

Incredibly Watkins picked up eight seconds in penalties, but still only missed the final by one place. His raw time was almost two seconds faster than the fastest qualifier.

“Bar the really silly touches, I was feeling really good on the water,” he said.

“I’m still happy, very surprised when I found out I had finished 11^th. Happy to set a new personal best, even with eight seconds in penalties.

“I feel good on this course. I’ve loved this course, even from the first time I paddled on it.”

Watkins and Fox will both fancy their medal chances in their races on Sunday, with the same gate settings remaining in place. Fox will contest the semis of the women’s C1, while Watkins will set out in the men’s K1.

Australia’s only other athlete in action on Saturday was Noemie Fox, who picked up a 50-second penalty in her K1 semi-final and missed the medal race.

Lucien Delfour and Tim Anderson will also be in action on Sunday, competing in the men’s K1 semi-finals.

Racing wraps up on Sunday with the women’s C1 and men’s K1 semi-finals and finals.

Racing can be followed live on canoeicf.com

Live results can be followed HERE

Bratislava is the second of four World Cups, followed by a World Cup final. The circuit continues in Ljubljana, Slovenia next weekend.

All of the finals from the World Cup series and World Championships will also be available on the Olympic Channel

AUS Race Schedule, Semi-finals, Sunday, 23 June

Overall Team Australia 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 2– Results
Women’s K1: 
Jessica Fox (NSW) – 6^th
Noemie Fox(NSW) – 27^th
Rosalyn Lawrence (NSW) – 40^th

Women’s C1:
Jessica Fox (NSW) – Semi Sunday
Noemie Fox (NSW) – 36^th
Rosalyn Lawrence (NSW) – 38^th

Men’s C1: 
Daniel Watkins (TAS) – 11^th
Ian Borrows (NSW) –49^th
Steven Lowther (WA) – 35^th

Men’s K1:Semi Sunday
Daniel Watkins (TAS) –
Tim Anderson (NSW) –
Lucien Delfour (NSW) –

2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 1 – Team
C1M: Daniel Watkins (TAS), Ian Borrows (NSW), Steven Lowther (WA)
K1M: Lucien Delfour (NSW), Daniel Watkins (TAS), Tim Anderson(NSW)
K1W: Jessica Fox (NSW), Rosalyn Lawrence (NSW), Noemie Fox (NSW)
C1W: Jessica Fox, Noemie Fox, Rosalyn Lawrence

2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Season 
– World Cup 1: Lee Valley, UK, June 14-16 June.
– World Cup 2: Bratislava, Slovakia, June 21-23.
– World Cup 3: Tacen, Slovenia, June 28-20.
– World Cup 4: Markkleeberg, Germany, 30 August-1 September.
– World Cup final: Prague, Czech Republic, 6-8 September.
– ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, La Seu, Spain, 25-29 September 2019
– Tokyo 2020 Canoe Slalom Olympic Test Event, Tokyo, Japan, 25-27 October 2019

See the 2019 Paddle Australian Canoe Slalom World Cup Team here: http://paddle.org.au/canoe-slalom-athlete-profiles/