Canoe slalom superstar Jessica Fox has started her Australian Open campaign with a gold medal, while Tristan Carter has put his hand up for Olympic selection with victory in the men's C1 race.
Four-time Olympic medallist Fox, who is already set to compete at her fourth Games in Paris later this year, stormed to a win at the Penrith Whitewater course on the first day of competition on Friday.
The 29-year-old, who is the Olympic champion in the C1 slalom event, claimed opening honours ahead of France's Marjorie Delassus, with Czech Gabriela Satkova third.
Fox's younger sister Noemie clocked the fifth best time of the day.
With paddlers from 20 nations competing across the three days, Friday's program mimicked that of the Olympics, with the semi and final runs in close proximity.
Fox said it tested the paddlers.
“Today was a different format. We had a heat straight into the finals so that was an interesting experience," Fox said.
“It was a good race, I’m happy with my racing. It’s a great opportunity to race with international athletes.”
Victoria's Tristan Carter was crowned the men’s C1 champion in a thrilling final in which he pipped Great Britain's Adam Burgess by 0.01 seconds.
Kaylen Bassett also finished on the podium, claiming bronze, while fellow Aussie Brodie Crawford was fourth.
Carter was backing up after a disappointing run in the Oceania championships on the same course last weekend.
“After not quite having the result I wanted last week I was sitting at home and trying not to stress," he said on Friday.
"How I’m feeling right now; to say it’s different (to last week) is an understatement."
The result puts Carter in pole position for nomination to the Australian Olympic team for his first Games, with selectors finalising their choice of athletes this month.
The men's and women's kayak events will be run on Saturday, with Fox again the woman to beat.
