Skier Jessica Gallagher, pilot Madison Janssen win cycling gold and world title
The Daily Telegraph
Amanda Lulham, March 21 2016
JUST 24 hours after her first world cycling medal, former Winter Olympian Jessica Gallagher and pilot Madison Janssen have combined for a shock gold and world record at the Para-Cycling world championships in Italy.
The result came les s than a year after Gallagher, who is legally blind, decided to push for Rio selection on a bike.
It also comes just seven months after she and Janssen formed a partnership which now looks like reaping medal glory at the Paralympics later this year.
“To put on our first rainbow jersey is a moment we will never forget,’’ said Gallagher, the first Australian woman to win a Winter Paralympic medal in skiing and a former track and field athlete.
Gallagher, from Geelong, and Janssen, from Queensland, rode off with gold in the tandem sprint after setting a new world record in the Flying 200 during qualifying.
They defeated Poland’s Anna Duzikowska and Natalia Morytko in the quarters in consecutive heats, Japan’s Yurie Kanuma and Mai Tanakan in two heats in the semi final and then British defending champions Sophie Thornhill and Helen for the world title
“We are ecstatic to come away from the Championships with a world title, world record and a bronze,” said Gallagher who on Sunday won her first medal with Janssen — fourth in the sprint at the recent Australian track cycling champions behind Olympic legend Anna Meares, Stephanie Morton and Kaarle McCulloch.
“The sprint world title was amazing, to not only break the world record in our flying 200m but to progress through the finals not dropping a heat was fantastic.
“Our coach Jason Niblett played a vital role in helping us tactics wise so we knew we just had to execute.
“We knew it would be tough as British team have won the past two world titles but we were confident we had the ability to win.”
Australia’s other gold medal on the final night of competitor was delivered by Kyle Bridgwood won the C4-5 scratch race for his maiden world title
The original article can be viewed here: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/swoop/rio-2016-skier-jessica-gallagher-pilot-madison-janssen-win-cycling-gold-and-world-title/news-story/49028aaf06afbf6dba2906c71d2085eb
