Noemie Fox is poised for redemption at Penrith’s Whitewater Stadium after a nervous wait surrounding her semi-final performance. She recorded a time of 108.77 seconds, securing 10th place on the live leaderboard, but as five other competitors, including the world No.2 Ricarda Funk, were yet to race, her spot in the women’s kayak final appeared uncertain. Only the top twelve athletes qualified, adding to the tension.
Australia’s Kate Eckhardt performed slightly better, finishing with a time of 107.85 seconds, which also earned her a place in the final. With both athletes sharing the spotlight, Fox had to anxiously watch as competitors like Camille Prigent and Funk navigated the rapids before her fate was revealed.
Fox, a local to the area, was joined by her sister Jess and mother Myriam during the waiting period. Once it was confirmed that she qualified as the twelfth and final athlete, Fox expressed relief over the verdict. Reflecting on her run, she admitted to struggling with nerves and finding her rhythm but felt satisfied to qualify alongside Eckhardt. “Now it’s time to reset and go again,” she stated in anticipation of the final.
Eckhardt, on the other hand, found herself elated at qualifying, describing the moment as a “dream” come true. She expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from her local community, emphasising how special it was to perform well enough to earn a spot in the final alongside her teammate Fox. With excitement and determination, both athletes are ready to compete again on the big stage.