Canada Claims 1st Gold, but USA Dominates Cycling Time Trial

13 Nov 2011 By IPC

On the first morning of competition at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico it was Canada who had the honour of claiming the first gold medal.

Four medals were up for grabs on Sunday (13 November) morning with many of Guadalajara’s city centre roads closed for the Mixed Cycling Time Trial events.

In the first race Canada’s Robbi Weldon and pilot Lyne Bessette (24;54.45) took gold n the Mixed Time Trial B event which saw racers complete two laps (21.6km) of the city centre course.

The pair finished 43 seconds ahead of the USA’s Karissa Whitsell (pilot Lisa Cochrane Turnbull) (25:37.49) and their Canadian teammates Daniel Chalifour (pilot Ed Veal) (25:43.12) in bronze.

Although Canada claimed the first gold, it was USA who dominated the Mixed Time Trial Cycling events taking home gold in both 10.8km one lap races. Oscar Sanchez (15:55.96) won the H1-H4 race and Steven Pearce (17:58.24) stood top of the podium after victory in the T1-T2 class.

In the other Mixed Time Trail of the day, the C1-C5 class over 21.6km, Brazil’s Soelito Gohr (27:33.22) took gold.

The afternoon will see a further 11 gold medals awarded, all of them in swimming.

Competition is also underway in Boccia, Goalball, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Tennis.