Triple Olympic champion Jess Fox admits it's been tough to process the fact that she won't be able to compete at next week's ICF Slalom World Championships at home.

Fox, who has 14 world titles, was supposed to headline the Australian team in Penrith, but a surprise discovery of a tumour on her kidney, and subsequent surgery a month ago, means she had to miss the rest of the World Cup season as well as these championships.

"This has been a huge shock and a lot to digest, but once I'd gotten out of surgery and was in my recovery, I think it was pretty clear that I wouldn't be racing world champs," Fox said.

"If I'm on that start line, I want to be ready and I want to be at my best, and I had to put my health first.

Fox to miss home world championships Photo shows Jess Fox in a screen

See Full Page