geoff.berkeley
5 August 2024

Australia’s Noemie Fox and New Zealand’s Finn Butcher etched their names in Olympic canoeing history by becoming the first-ever kayak cross gold medallists.

Monday’s triumph at a sweltering Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium capped a golden Games for the Fox family with Noemie following the success of sister Jessica, who had already captured the kayak and canoe crowns.

With Jessica roaring on her sister from the banks, Noemie powered to victory in a thrilling women’s kayak cross final.

France’s Angele Hug claimed silver, with Britain’s Kimberley Woods securing bronze.

Butcher led from start to finish to take the men’s kayak cross crown as Great Britain’s Joseph Clarke picked up silver and Germany’s Noah Hegge bagged bronze.

It was an historic day in Paris as Olympic kayak cross medals were contested for the first time.

With Jessica Fox’s hopes of three gold medals in the French capital ended on Sunday, it was Noemie’s turn to shine in the sun.

Woods, the reigning world kayak cross champion, got off to a flying start but a slight error on the first upstream gate allowed Fox to seize the initiative.

Fox took her opportunity as she hit the front and didn’t look back as she stormed to the title.

Jessica and her mum and coach Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi both jumped into the water to celebrate with Noemie.

Noemie Fox kayak cross Paris 2024 Olympics gold

“It feels surreal,” said Noemie.

“It’s crazy that it is mine.

“I experienced Jess’ gold-medal moment in Tokyo and the two golds that she won here.

“She has put so much hard work and effort into that.

“You don’t really dare to dream this big but I really did this time.

“I dared to dream to get to the Olympics and then to get to the final.

“When I saw in the last upstream gate that I was first, it was pure joy.

“There are no words to describe the feeling and the crowd just carried me through.”

Hug delivered another Canoe Slalom medal for France to the delight of the home crowd by taking silver.

“It’s a lot of happiness and I am really grateful to all the French people that were screaming for me,” said Hug.

“For my first Olympics, it was hard to stay focused on the goal and not on the medal.

“Finally, I succeeded so I’m really happy.”

Germany’s Elena Lilik picked up a fault on gate two as Woods won her second bronze of the Games, adding to her success in the women’s kayak.

“It’s a little bit bittersweet as I tried to go for that gold, but I am really happy to come away from here as a double Olympic medallist,” said Woods.

Butcher made history by becoming the first New Zealander to win an Olympic gold in Canoe Slalom.

After hitting the front, there was no stopping Butcher as he cruised to the title.

Noemie Fox kayak cross Paris 2024 Olympics gold 2

“It’s crazy,” said Butcher.

“When I dropped off the ramp and I had a bit of clear water in front of me, I just went as hard as I could and to finish in front was insane.

“Coming out of the last upstream, I honestly couldn’t believe it so it is going to take a while to sink but in but I am so stoked.”

Clarke, a gold medallist in kayak at Rio 2016, was unable to catch Butcher but was happy to take silver just moments after Woods’ bronze.

“We are both absolutely over the moon,” said Clarke.

“Two medals in five minutes for Team GB doesn’t get much better than that.

“You can control the race from the front, you don’t want to be chasing it and do things at the last minute.

“I try to control the rounds and had done an extremely good job at that but unfortunately Noah Hegge came into my lane when we landed and I lost those all-important first three strokes and that allowed Finn to get ahead and then I was in the backseat position, trying to chase him down all the way.

“I had to settle for silver in the end but silver for me is like a win today and I am very proud of that.”

Hegge, who had never previously won an individual medal at a major championship, got the better of Czechia’s Lukas Rohan to seal his place on the podium.

“I’m really happy,” said Hegge.

“This is the first time I have participated in the Olympic Games.

“It was a difficult final, but I am very happy with the performance I showed.

“It was great to compete against these great athletes and I’m absolutely thrilled to take home a medal.”

Canoe Slalom
Kayak Cross
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