The New Zealand para-cycling team has claimed three medals and a world record on the opening day of competition at the world track championships in Mexico, followed by a fourth medal on day two.
Adjusting quickly to the Aguascalientes altitude and 40degC temperatures, the New Zealand tandem duo of Emma Foy and pilot Laura Fairweather, of Invercargill, raced first in the women's B 3km pursuit, breaking the world record previously set by Fairweather and Phillipa Gray, also of Invercargill, by 8sec.
Gray and her new pilot Kylie Young qualified second fastest for an all-New Zealand final.
The two tandems were close for the first four laps of the final, but the combination of Foy and Fairweather eventually pulled away to again break the world record and claim the rainbow jersey, with Gray and Young claiming the silver medal.
Competing in her first world championships after transferring from athletics, Kate Horan competed in the women's C5 sprint straight final.
Horan, who is coached by Jono Hailstone, was coming into the event as an unknown but was quietly confident and produced a superb ride to finish second.
Fiona Southorn was the other New Zealand athlete competing on day one, but she did not figure in the finish of the women's C5 500m time trial which is not a key event for her.
She will race on Sunday in the 3km pursuit, the event she won silver in at the London Paralympics.
The two New Zealand tandems were back in action in the women B 1km time trial on day two, which saw Gray and Young secure a bronze medal - and it was among some very fast times with the top four going under previous world record!
Article courtesy of Fairfax