Jessica FOX (AUS) felt very proud after winning bronze in the canoe slalom women’s K1 event at Whitewater Stadium on Thursday. That’s her second Olympic medal after grabbing silver in the London 2012 Games.
Maialen CHOURRAUT (ESP) won the kayak (K1) womens event with Luuka JONES (NZL) taking the silver
CHOURRAUT’s medal was the first gold medal for Spain in the sport canoe slalom.
JONES brought New Zealand its first medal of any colour in canoe slalom. It is the 14th sport in which New Zealand has won at least one medal.
FOX and CHOURRAUT are now two of five athletes that have won two medals in this event. FOX (silver) and CHOURRAUT (bronze) were on the podium in London 2012.
“It’s been an emotional couple of minutes. I think I went through all of the emotions. I finished my run happy and then I got a late penalty added on and had to wait to see if I was on the podium and to finally I have the bronze medal in my hand is a great feeling. It’s my second Olympic medal so I’m very proud of it.”
“I guess the conditions were pretty tough today. There was a lot of wind and coming into the last upstream (gate) I was a bit loose with my edges, came in tight and slid out into the wind, so I had a very small touch and that’s why it took a while to come on to the score.
“That’s why canoe slalom is so exciting because anything can happen on the day.”
I’m very happy for Maialen winning the gold medal and Luuka, another Oceania teammate, winning silver. It’s been an amazing day.”
“I think my parents will be proud and happy. My mother won the bronze medal in Atlanta and has shared this journey with me as my coach. We went though all the highs and lows together.”
“My sister is in the crowd leading the cheer squad and it’s been fantastic to have all the other support here.”
Bronze Medallist Jessica Fox (AUS) Canoe Slalom K1W – Vajda K1 Salto Xtreme