Golden start in London

NSWIS swimmer Jacqueline Freney makes the perfect start to the 2012 Paralympic Games, while cyclist Alexandra Green added to the tally with a bronze medal.

Competing in the women’s S7 100m backstroke, Freney put her competitors on notice in the heats by setting a new Paralympic record of 1:23.34 to qualify nearly two seconds faster than her competitors. However the Beijing bronze medallist saved her best for last, lowering her heat time in the final, with a new Paralympic record of 1:22.84, to win gold.

A further three NSWIS swimmers competed on day one of the Games; Katrina Porter finished seventh in the women’s S7 100m backstroke, Maddison Elliott set a new Oceania record to finish sixth in the women’s S8 100m butterfly, while Reagan Wickens finished 10th in the heats of the men’s S6 100m backstroke.

Elsewhere in London, cyclist Green made a near perfect start to her debut Games with a bronze medal in the women’s C4 individual pursuit. With gold going to compatriot Susan Powell, Green easily accounted for her Canadian opponent in the bronze medal race, cruising to victory by nearly five seconds.

Fellow NSWIS athlete Jayme Paris was also in fine form in the velodrome, setting a new world record for the C1 class in the women’s C1/2/3 individual pursuit. Although Paris missed out on the medals, her performance will put her in good stead for the rest of her Games schedule.

The first day of competition also saw the Australian men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams in action. The men’s team, featuring NSWIS athletes Tristan Knowles, Grant Mizens, Brett Stibners and Nick Taylor made light work of South Africa, 93-39, while the Australian women’s team survived a first match scare to down Brazil 52-50. NSWIS athletes Kylie Gauci, Katie Hill, Tina McKenzie and Sarah Stewart were all included in the team.

Seven athletes are in line for medals on day two of competition. Wheelchair track & road athlete Kristy Pond lines up in the women’s T34 100m; Michael Auprince takes off in the men’s S9 100m backstroke; Mitchell Kilduff competes in the men’s S14 100m backstroke; Taylor Corry and Kara Leo battle it out in the women’s S14 100m backstroke, and Tim Antalfy and Sean Russo begin their campaigns in the men’s S13 100m butterfly.