Australia’s Jessica Fox ensured there was no Opening Ceremony hangover as she laid down a marker in her bid to capture the women’s kayak crown at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Less than 24 hours after having the time of her life as one of Australia’s flagbearers, Fox went from being on a boat on the River Seine as part of last night’s unique curtain-raiser to competing in her kayak.
Fox, the reigning Olympic canoe champion with one silver and two bronzes in kayak, looked in great shape in today’s heats as she stormed to the top of the standings, posting the quickest time of 92.18.
“I have had a big 24 hours with the Opening Ceremony last night so I wanted to make sure I was resting as much as I could when I got home and this morning as well as to come in with as much energy for this afternoon,” said Fox.
“I had a good sleep, which was important to me, and the fact the racing was in the afternoon meant that I had all morning to stretch, get going on and wake up slowly.
“Getting on the water for my warm-up I was expecting to feel flat but didn’t so that’s good, but I might feel that way tomorrow.
“I had the time of my life on that boat last night with all the Aussies and sharing that moment with Eddie Ockenden, the male flagbearer.
“We were having the best time, despite the weather.
“I think we were drowned rats by the end of the parade but everyone on the boat brought the vibes and the energy was incredible.
“What an Opening Ceremony. It was beautiful.”
Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska placed second with 93.03, while France’s Camille Prigent thrilled the home fans when registering the quickest first-run time before posting 93.25 to take third spot.
“It’s incredible,” said Prigent on the home crowd.
“It's pushing you at the beginning.
“I was impressed by all this noise on a heat day, but I stayed focused, and it helped me during my run.”
Defending champion Ricarda Funk of Germany was sixth with American Evy Leibfarth and Czech Antonie Galuskova coming fourth and fifth respectively.
France’s Nicolas Gestin produced an inspired performance in front of a passionate home crowd to place first in the men’s canoe heats.
Roared on by the spectators, Gestin delivered two impressive runs, posting the fastest time in both to take the top spot.
Gestin came down the course in 89.90 before going even quicker in the second run with 88.78.
"I feel great, the atmosphere was insane,” said Gestin.
“I was so happy to race here.
"I'm really happy to take the front - I put my boat on the start and had to say, 'Nico keep your focus', it was so loud."
Great Britain’s Adam Burgess was also in fine form on day one, registering an opening run of 90.87 to put him in second spot.
“Honestly, that first run was easily the best experience of my life,” said Burgess.
"I've never paddled in front of a crowd like this.
“I just absolutely loved every second of it."
Croatia’s Matija Marinic and Italy’s Raffaello Ivaldi ranked third and fourth respectively, while there was also an impressive showing from Senegalese Yves Bourhis to put him in the top five and make it through to the semi-finals.
The first canoeing medals of Paris 2024 will be awarded on Sunday, after the conclusion the semi-final and final of the women’s kayak.
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