7. August 2024 at 18:31

How a small Slovak company propelled Jessica Fox to Olympic glory

The company has a surprise for Fox.

Jessica Fox riding on her Vajda boat during the Paris Olympics. Jessica Fox riding on her Vajda boat during the Paris Olympics. (source: TASR/AP)
Font size: A - | A +

Australian Jessica Fox, perhaps currently the biggest canoe slalom star, who won two gold medals at the Paris Olympics, rides on boats made in Slovakia. They bear the name of the family company, which was founded more than 30 years ago by the Vajda brothers in an inconspicuous garage in Šamorín, southern Slovakia.

SkryťTurn off ads
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

"She is very good to work with because she is open and knows what she wants. [Slovak canoe slalom legend] Elena Kaliská was like that too, among the current top athletes it is for example [Czech] kayaker Jiří Prskavec," explains one of the company's founders, Marcel Vajda Sr., as quoted by the Sportnet website.

Jessica Fox with a gold medal from the Paris Olympics. Jessica Fox with a gold medal from the Paris Olympics. (source: TASR/AP)

Three boats for Fox

Fox has relied on Vajda boats since the beginning of her career. When the company developed special women's canoes, Fox was among the first to try them out.

She and her mother, who trains her, frequent the Slovak company's service tent at races or in their Bratislava workshop. Her family has a history in canoe slalom. She has won six Olympic medals including three gold, and 10 world championship titles, two of which are in the kayak cross discipline.

SkryťTurn off ads

It is customary for her to share the joy of a successful race with Slovak boat builders.

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription -  Sign in

Subscription provides you with:

  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk

  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)

  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you

  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

SkryťClose ad