Jessica and Tim Crowned National Champions

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) paddler Jessica Fox has proved why she is considered the greatest canoe slalom paddler of all time on day three of competition at the 2023 Australian Open.

On the final day of competition, competitors again tested themselves on the challenging canoe slalom course, this time in the canoe boat.

Despite starting as the third competitor, behind younger sister Noemie Fox and US young gun Evy Leibfarth, Fox was determined to return to form in her preferred discipline, the same boat in which she won gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

And that she did, crossing the line in a time of 104.84 and securing her the Australian Open gold medal.

“I was really happy with that run. It was finally the run where everything feels flowing and you’re powerful and strong and online and attacking it so I was really pleased to put that run down,” Jessica said.

“Especially after yesterday where it didn’t quite feel like I was racing to my potential in the kayak so it was a nice run.

“I’m pretty happy with my racing in the last couple of weekends. There’s still a few things where I know there’s room for improvement which is always good.

“We’ve got a few more months before we head overseas for the training and World Cup season, so we’ll be looking to better that and arrive ready to race at the World Cups,” she said.

Jessica backed up her Australian Open canoe title with a win in the Kayak Cross. US’ Evy Leibfarth finished second and New Zealander Courtney Williams in third.

“The kayak cross is an extra event on the program and it’s definitely beefed up my training load and my racing load at the World Cup races especially where it’s got to fit in those three days,” Jessica said.

“It’s really tough physically and mentally, but it’s good training, it’s good practice and I enjoy it so I’ll keep doing it,” she said

Fellow NSWIS paddler Tim Anderson won the men’s open kayak event.

 

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Fellow NSWIS paddler Noemie Fox said it was great to have a race in her own backyard, and welcome back some of her international competition again.

“I have to say it is nice to have them come to us,” Noemie said. “We’ll be spending quite a lot of time overseas, six months this year, so definitely making the most of any home time we can get.

“Making the most of having an open course as well because it was closed for a lot of flooding issues last year. So it’s just been nice to relax and go home, and see your dogs… it’s good,” she said.

NSWIS scholarship holder Riley Fitzsimmons (NSW) finished third in the men’s K1 500 final on the final day of the Canoe Sprint Grand Prix 2 at Sydney International Regatta Centre, behind Tom Green and Jean van der Westhuyzen.

The Avoca paddler rounding out a successful return to racing having been a member of the victorious K4 500 team on day one and finishing second with fellow NSWIS scholarship holder Jackson Collins in the K2 500.

“I’d taken the last year off kayaking just to regather myself after Tokyo,” said Riley. “Coming back this year the aim is to get as much race practice as I can.

“It’s looking like I’ll probably go over to the World Cups this year which is really exciting. I haven’t raced a World Cup since 2019, so it’s been a fairly long time and I’m really looking forward to getting back over there into international racing.

“Where I’m at right now, I’m extremely happy. From sitting on the couch last year and watching the boys race overseas, I really wanted to get back into it.

“I think my mindset, my body is still in tip top shape and feels like I can perform at a top level.

“We’ve got a good young group in the men’s squad and it’s great to mingle with the women’s squad and all the paras so I think the Paddle Australia team is really getting around each other and it’s been a good vibe so far this week.”

In the men’s K1 200 multi-class, NSWIS scholarship holder Dylan Littlehales beat home Curtis McGrath (QLD) and Kiwi Scott Martlew, while in the women’s K1 multi-class Kathleen O’Kelly-Kennedy (WA) finished first ahead of Susan Seipel (QLD) and Amy Ralph (WA).

Article courtesy of Paddle Australia