After yesterday’s bronze medal performance in the women’s K1, Jess Fox returned to the rapids, making her way through to the women’s C1 semi-final and writing canoe slalom history by competing in the first ever women’s C1 Olympic racing.  

The world number five Lucien Delfour put his competitors on notice, recording consistent times in both runs of the qualifying round, finishing second and third respectively. 

Looking strong from the outset, Delfour was able to record two clean runs, with no penalties incurred.  He will enter Friday’s semi-finals in third position, with only +0.96 seconds separating the top three of Hannes Aigner (GER), Giovanni de Gennaro (ITA) and Delfour. 

“I’m pretty happy with today – I felt really good on the water during the first run, and I managed to put down a pretty good time which I knew would be close enough to get me qualified for the semi-final,” Delfour said. 

“I’m just so happy that today I was able to put down a couple of really good runs.” 

Looking ahead to Friday, Delfour said it will be about taking it one run at a time. 

“I try not to think about a medal.  The course design for the semis and final is quite tricky,” Delfour said. 

“Of course, I want to get on the podium, but I think completing the course without any penalties is going to be a challenge in itself,” he said. 

With an Olympic bronze medal added to her collection in yesterday’s K1 final, Jess Fox returned to the Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre on Wednesday on the hunt for gold. 

Fox etched her name in history in doing so, as part of the first Olympic women’s C1 event. 

The 27-year-old C1 world number one secured her place in tomorrow’s semi-final, qualifying in fifth place, and recording a best time of 105.96. 

A second place in the first run and a fifth place in the second run were enough for the four-time C1 world champion to progress through to the top-18 semi-final in the top five.  

“It was good to get out there in the C1 – obviously changing boats, changing positions to kneeling and a different paddle, I had to get the feeling for it again,” Fox said. 

“But I felt good in that first run, and I tried a few things in the second run.  It was enough to qualify so that was the job done. 

“Coming back today, getting back in the boat – it’s good to get that out of the way.  Hopefully I’ll rest up this afternoon and I’ll get back into it tomorrow,” she said. 

The women’s C1 qualifying was won by world number 2 Mallory Franklin (GB), followed by world champion Andrea Herzog from Germany.  

Upon finishing her heats, Fox took a moment to reflect on the meaning of being part of today’s history making event. 

“It is really special to be here with the C1 women.  We’re all debuting at the Olympic Games and it’s a powerful moment for us and for our sport,” Fox said. 

“We’re thinking of all those women who didn’t get this opportunity in the past, and who fought for us to be here today, and all the little girls who will get the opportunity in the future. So it’s very special,” she said. 

Racing resumes at Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre tomorrow (Thursday, 29 July), with the women’s canoe semi-finals and top ten final. 

RESULTS WEDNESDAY, 28 July 2021 
Women’s Canoe (C1) – Heats (2 runs) 
Jessica Fox (AUS)  

1st run:    2nd    109.96 | 4 penalty secs. | +0. 
2nd run:     5th     110.93 | 4 penalty secs. | +4.90 
Best:         5th      91.10 | +0.96 

Men’s Kayak (K1) – Heats (2 runs) 
Lucien Delfour (AUS) 
1st run:    2nd    91.10 | 0 penalty secs. | +0.18 
2nd run:        3rd     91.12 | 0 penalty secs. | +0.96 
Best:         3rd    91.10 | +0.96 

Schedule Thursday, 29 July 2021 
Women’s Canoe (C1) Semi-finals + Final  

Semi-finals from 15:00 – 15:51 AEST 
Jessica Fox: 15:39 AEST 

Finals from 16:55 AEST  

Schedule Friday, 31 July 2021 
Men’s Kayak (K1) Semi-finals + Final  

Semi-finals from 15:00 – 15:57 AEST 
Lucien Delfour: 15:51 AEST 
Finals from 17:00 AEST 

Cora Zillich