Canoeing: Fox safely through to kayak final as medal chase continues

PARIS: Australia's Jessica Fox remained on course for another Olympic medal at the Paris Games, comfortably qualifying for the women's kayak single final later on Wednesday (Jul 31) where she will be second-last to descend the course after finishing in second place. 

The fastest time of the day was set by Gabriela Satkova, who was last out after winning Tuesday's heat and completed the 210-metre course in 105.55 seconds. 

After winning gold in the kayak on Sunday, the 30-year-old Fox came into Wednesday's semi-final seeking to defend the Olympic title that she won in Tokyo, and she was a picture of calm as she flew down the course with ease. 

With the 18 paddlers each given a single run to try to make it into the 12-racer final later in the afternoon, many of them struggled with the seventh of the 23 gates on the course, and Poland's Klaudia Zwolinska, a silver medallist in Sunday, lost crucial time there that cost her a spot in the final. 

Tokyo silver medallist Mallory Franklin of Britain finished in sixth place to make it safely through to the decider, which begins at 1725 local time.