Medals At Para-Cycling World Champs

Paralympics New Zealand cyclists, Jayne Parsons (Kapati) and former Olympic rower, Sonia Waddell have won a silver medal at the Para-Cycling World Championships in Baie –Comeau, Quebec, Canada.

The pair who had had limited time together as a combination prior to the world champs were less than a minute behind the winners Bobbi Weldon and Lynne Bessette of Canada who finished in a time of 2hours 18 minutes 32 seconds with the Kiwis across the line in 2 hours 19 minutes 25 seconds over the 78.km road race course. Another Canadian team was third.

Parsons and Waddell compete on a tandem cycle as Parsons is blind. The able-bodied Waddell is the pilot on the front of the bike while Parsons is the stoker who sits in the rear.

Earlier in the championships hand-cyclist Sue Reid from Morrinsville in the Waikato won a bronze medal in the 11.4km Time Trial in a time of 28mins 45 seconds behind riders from England and Switzerland.