'I feel out of place': Australian underdog Kaylen Bassett's priceless reaction to breaking 18-year drought

Kaylen Bassett admits he felt "out of place" on the banks at Penrith's Whitewater Stadium after an electric run in the men's C1 final saw him land a spot on the podium.

Australia had yet to win a medal at the ICF Slalom World Championships until Bassett took to the course on Thursday, with his performance leaving all watching on in awe.

The windy conditions proved a disruptive force for many of his other rivals, but Bassett made the most of his home course advantage to deliver a near-perfect run.

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It was a finish which many watching on - and Bassett - did not see coming, given the 28-year-old entered the race ranked eighth overall following the semi finals.

Bassett was the fifth paddler to set a time in the event, with his previous personal best in the event on the global stage being 39th place overall.

Prior to taking to the rapids in Penrith, Bassett had never medalled at an international event. Now, he is the first Australian male in 18 years to do so in the C1 discipline.

Robin Bell was the last to medal in the C1 event at the World Championships, achieving the feat in 2007 at Penrith's Whitewater Stadium after winning gold in 2005.

"I can't think of a better 20-year anniversary for the C1 program," Bassett told reporters after the results were confirmed.

"I'm shocked. I don't believe it, still. I feel like I'm still waiting for someone else to come down the course, to be honest.

"I think it's going to hit me very, very soon.

"I finished my run and I thought it was solid, but sitting here [with the other podium finishers and his teammates] I feel out of place," he continued telling Nine.

"I'm with the world's best paddlers. I am pinching myself."

Watch the ICF Slalom World Championships live and free on Nine and 9Now.

A vocal home crowd was behind Bassett the entire race, while a group of his teammates and coaches ran along the path on Fox Island as he competed.

All of their support was greatly appreciated by Bassett.

"That support is huge," he said.

"Everyone here on the bank today and my extended family, I have my brother, mum and dad here and also these guys who I train with everyday. To know that I have them behind me was massive.

"This was our course and this is what we as a group wanted to do.

"This is a day I've got to remember for sure."

Meanwhile, in the women's event Noemie Fox was left disappointed after she crossed over eight seconds later than those on the podium in the women's C1 final.

An eighth-placed finish in the semi finals saw Fox secure a spot to battle for a world championship medal, but a "frustrating" run in the final saw her finish ninth overall.

"It's incredibly frustrating because I was feeling great," Fox said after her race.

"It's a missed opportunity, but that's the sport as well. The wind was very hard to manage, for sure."