Australia’s Jessica Fox secured her first victory since her return from kidney surgery after a stunning display at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague, Czechia.
Just one week after returning to the international stage, the three-time Olympic champion demonstrated all her class on a difficult Troja course to seal the women’s kayak crown.
There was also joy for the Czech crowd as home favourite Jakub Krejci powered to his first World Cup title with men’s K1 gold.
Fox missed the second half of last season after going under the knife to remove a tumour from her kidney.
But after marking her return with silver in Tacen last week, Fox went one better in Prague to land a sensational gold in 108.84.
“It’s unbelievable, I’m so happy, so proud, so grateful for all the support and all the cheers,” said Fox.
“It’s always a pleasure to race here, so to come out on top is a dream.
“It’s an achievement to just be on the startline again, to feel the nerves and the energy of racing and be back with the community that I love so much.
“To make the final was a goal, to get on a podium was a bonus last week and to back it up here and go one better is amazing so I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me get here.”
It proved to be a challenging course in Prague with many paddlers coming unstuck at gates 12 and 17.
Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska navigated the tricky stoppers superbly as she clocked 111.30 to become the early leader.
This proved to be enough for silver as Fox came out on top with a masterclass of kayaking, while Slovakia’s Zuzana Pankova clinched bronze in 112.75.
The opening day of World Cup action also saw a sensational showing from Czech star Krejci.
While a 50-second penalty dashed Jiri Pryskavec’s hopes of gold, Krejci pulled off a clean run to clinch his first-ever World Cup gold.
Krejci used all his local knowledge to navigate the course as he crossed the finish line in a winning time of 98.10.
“It feels amazing,” said Krejci.
“To win my first World Cup in front of a home crowd was something special.
“I felt really good today. I trusted myself, I was looking for a good run in the final because I was struggling last weekend in Tacen.
“It’s a dream come true to win here in Prague.
“It gives me confidence for the next races but it could be really different because all the courses are different and I know this course really well so that gave my some knowledge.”
Great Britain’s Joseph Clarke, the Rio 2016 Olympic champion, secured silver in 99.87.
Italy’s Xabier Ferrazzi backed up his breakthrough gold in Tacen with bronze in 101.76.
Women’s Kayak
- FOX Jessica (AUS) 108.84
- ZWOLINSKA Klaudia (POL) +2.46
- PANKOVA Zuzana (SVK) +3.91
Men’s Kayak
- KREJCI Jakub (CZE) 98.10 (0)
- CLARKE Joseph (GBR) +1.77 (2 second penalty)
- FERRAZZI Xabier (ITA) +3.66 (2)
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