CANOE QUEEN FOX AIMS FOR A GOLDEN DOUBLE
JESSICA Fox’s sixth consecutive World Cup win in 21 days has given her the confidence to pursue the extraordinary task of bidding for double gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
In career- best form, Fox has paddled off with both the K1 and C1 crowns at a World Cup canoe slalom meet in Augsburg, Germany.
Her success follows on from wins in the same two events at World Cup meets in Slovakia and Poland.
Since the C1 event was added to the Olympic program after years of campaigning, Fox has been testing the waters to see if a double gold assault is viable.
The Penrith paddler said her recent form was encouraging.
“We are two years out and the Tokyo clock is ticking so I really want to make every race count and learn each time I sit on the start line,” she said.
“These races have been amazing for my confidence and to reinforce things I am doing well but you can always improve and cannot get complacent. I am still able to balance both events and want to aim for that for Tokyo.”
Fox won a silver medal in the K1 on debut at the London Olympics and then a bronze at the Rio Games.
The C1, which is on the Olympic program after a successful campaign to increase women’s events, has traditionally been her favoured event.
Fox said she had changed little in her training to trigger her recent purple patch of form.
“Our approach wasn’t too different to previous years,” she said. “I think I’ve had a great preparation, perhaps with more consistent strength work.
“With my coach, our mindset is always to drill the basics but also innovate and explore new ways to improve.”
Fox will now take a break before contesting the fourth and fifth World Cup meets in August and September.