Jessica Fox has edged closer to her first Olympic gold medal with the Australian canoe star qualifying fastest for the K1 final in Tokyo.
Fox is gunning for an elusive gold after winning won silver and bronze medals in the event at the past two Olympics.
The 27-year-old handled the challenging Kasai Canoe Slalom course with aplomb, finishing more than three second clear of her nearest rival, Slovakian Eliska Mintalova.
However, a late two-second time penalty was added for touching a gate, reducing the margin to 1.33 seconds.
German Ricarda Funk qualified third fastest, with 10 advancing to the medal race.
Defending Rio champion, Spaniard Maialen Chourraut qualified in seventh spot, while 2016 silver medallist, Kiwi Luuka Jones was fifth.
Fox looked a level above her rivals, allowing a smile when she saw her result.
Her father Richard Fox, who was a top British paddler and also a multiple world champion in the sport, was on Seven Network commentary for the race.
“It was a good – that’s what you want, a composed run and not have it take too much out of you,” he said.
“She will be happy with that.”
AAP
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