Jessica Fox has won gold in the women's kayak cross individual time trial in a flying start for her ICF slalom world championship campaign in Oklahoma City.
Australia's three-time Olympic gold medallist started in bib 28 and set down a slick leading time of 51.05 seconds that none of the remaining 27 paddlers could match.
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The victory at Riversport Rapids on Monday continued her successful return to competition since undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from a kidney last August and she was emotional afterwards.
"I didn't expect this today," said Fox. "Even if I didn't expect it, I'm so amazed with the strength of mind and strength of body.
"There's so much gratitude for what my body can do and for all the people who helped me get here.
"To start the world champs this way, it's amazing. I haven't done a whole lot of (kayak) cross but I know I've been training well and pushing hard. To piece it altogether is really rewarding and I'm really proud."
Fox's sister Noemie (11th) and world championships debutant Ada Mackie (30th) both qualified through to the women's kayak cross heats for Saturday.
In the men's kayak cross individual time trial, American-born Merle Long finished an impressive sixth is his world championships debut.
"It was great. I felt fantastic leading up to the race and in training. I've been paddling this course since I was a baby. I'm very glad and lucky that this is my first senior debut and to finish in that sixth position, it's still great.
"It is very self-assuring that I can finish in the top 10 at the world championships on the same course that the 2028 LA Olympics will be at," he said.
Aussies Tim Anderson finished 30th to qualify for the heats on Saturday. Lucien Delfour (43rd) missed the heats by one spot.
