Sun sets on European Canoe Slalom Summer of Awesomeness

The 2023 international Canoe Slalom season has come to stunning close in the Olympic host city of Paris, with the World Cup Final wrapping up on Sunday.

The final day of competition was highlighted with a bronze medal for New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Jessica Fox in the women’s Kayak Cross final. The bronze medal concluded a massive weekend for Fox which was highlighted by two gold medals (canoe and kayak), two overall World Cup crowns (canoe and kayak) and third in the overall Kayak Cross standings.

Fellow NSWIS athlete, Tim Anderson also wrapped up his season with third overall in the men’s Kayak Cross overall standings, after finishing sixth in Sunday’s event.

Noemie Fox (NSWIS), took out the women’s Kayak Cross Small Final, finishing fifth and sixth in the overall season standings.

Paddle Australia National Performance Director Kim Crane said it was a fantastic way to bring the 2023 international season to a close.

“What an international season it’s been – every single team member has invested so heavily both on and off the water, and today you can just feel the overwhelming relief and satisfaction,” Crane said.

“Jess’ domination here in the kayak and canoe events, and winning the World Cup champion in both classes is a phenomenal achievement that will take a while for us to truly process. To then finish today with a bronze medal in the Kayak Cross final was incredible, as this event is vastly different in its physical and mental requirements to traditional Slalom.

“We’re so thrilled to see the brilliant performances from Noemie and Tim who finished fifth and sixth respectively in the finals today, cementing their place amongst the world’s best.

“Tim finishing third place overall for Kayak Cross this season was such a buzz for him and the whole team.

“We’ve all learnt a lot about this special venue and the Paris Olympic Games, and pleasingly we’ve made further progress with our own Olympic Team preparations. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we’ll be ready to embrace the exciting opportunity to compete here next year.

“A special thank you must go to our hard working senior coaches – Myriam Fox, Julien Billaut and Killian Foulon for their impact on the world stage, and for our staff who spend significant periods of time overseas supporting this very special team, we are grateful.

“Everyone is looking forward to getting home to rest and recover.”

Story by Paddle Australia