In a class of her own: Aussie paddling GOAT wins again
Three days after turning 31, Jessica Fox has landed yet another World Cup canoeing gold in France to take her unmatched tally to 35.
Jessica Fox afte winning the chamoionshio Photo: Instagram
Fresh from turning 31 on Wednesday, the great Jessica Fox has given herself the belated birthday gift of yet another World Cup canoeing title in France.
Australia’s triple Olympic champion, who shows absolutely no sign of her domination of the kayak and canoeing slalom disciplines waning, reckoned she even surprised herself on Saturday, such was the commanding nature of her victory in the latest event in Pau.
Emulating her emphatic triumph in the canoe discipline the previous week in La Seu, Spain, Fox followed up a fairly mundane run at the Pau-Pyrenees Whitewater Stadium, qualifying only fifth fastest from the heats, by turning on the style when it mattered in the final.
Though she touched an early gate to earn a two-second penalty, she was still in a class of her own as she then sped down the course faultlessly to complete in 105.62 seconds – 3.85sec quicker than any other paddler.
“I didn’t expect it would be that good because I had a penalty. But it felt really powerful and I gave it everything,” said Fox.
“My arms are pounding right now, but really proud and so happy.
“It was a great run. I’m proud of that race. I think it’s so satisfying when you can lift in the final and deliver a better run than in the heats and put pressure on everyone else to challenge that time.
“I was quite surprised to see the time. I was thinking if I could do a 109, that would be a good time — but 105 plus two, it’s amazing!”
Her 54th World Cup race triumph, which continues to cement her irresistible claim to being the sport’s GOAT (greatest of all-time) – came off the back of a rare disappointment on Friday when, for once, she failed to make the final of the kayak event.
“It’s always a challenge to come back, to refocus and to find your energy after a disappointment mentally and physically,” she said.
“I’m really happy to be able to do that and to be always learning.”
Fox will be after yet another win in Sunday’s kayak cross as she aims to keep up the momentum before the world championships – in which she’s won 14 golds over a dozen years – come to home waters in Penrith in September and October.
By: Ian Chadband/AAP
