The ParalympicsGB team at the London 2012 Games surpassed its medal target today, as they won their 106th medal of the Games, across 13 different sports.
Cycling
Sarah Storey became Britain’s most decorated female Paralympian this afternoon by winning her fourth gold of the London 2012 Games with a dominant display in the C4-5 Road Race at Brands Hatch.
It was an 11th career gold for the former swimmer, who switched to cycling in 2005. With eight silver medals and three bronze in a 20-year career she surpasses former wheelchair racer Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson’s collection of 11 golds, four silvers and one bronze.
In all at these Games, the 34-year-old has won gold medals on the track in the C4-5 500m Time Trial and C5 Pursuit, as well as on the famous motor racing circuit in yesterday’s Time Trial, and in today’s Road Race.
Sailing
Helena Lucas made history earlier today as she claimed GB’s first ever full Paralympic sailing gold with victory in the 2.4mR class.
Lucas – the only woman in her class – was sat in gold medal position, with a nine-point cushion over second-placed Heiko Kroger of Germany, and guaranteed at least a silver medal overnight.
A lack of breeze in Portland Harbour today meant no sailing was possible, so medals were awarded on the standings after the opening 10 races.
Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell also share in the medal-winning success, leaving London 2012 with SKUD bronze.
Athletics - track
Hannah Cockroft lived up to all the expectation with an exceptional performance in the 200m T34 to bring home gold, her second of the Games.
She never looked like doing anything other than winning after establishing an early lead, and she set a new Paralympic record time of 31.90 seconds.
Athletics – discus
Four-time Paralympian Bev Jones won bronze in the F37 Discus this morning to take Britain’s Athletics medal tally at the London 2012 Paralympic Games to 20.
Jones produced a season’s best throw of 30.04 metres with her third round throw in the Olympic Stadium to put her third overall going into the final three throws.
With the bronze medal secured going into her final throw, Jones celebrated by producing her best throw of the series with 30.99m to bag her first Paralympic Games medal.
Swimming
It was another strong night for Great Britain in the pool, with the women bringing home four medals. In the SM9 200m Individual Medley Stephanie Millward took silver and Louise Watkin the bronze.
Millward turned first at the half-way stage before South Africa’s defending champion Natalie Du Toit re-took control on the breaststroke leg with SB8 100m Breaststroke champion Claire Cashmore pushing her way into second at the final turn.
And while Du Toit took gold in 2:34.22, Millward was able to overhaul her teammate on the freestyle leg to set a personal best 2:36.21 for her third silver of the Games.
A desperate race for bronze ensued and Watkin, who was seventh at the final turn, ultimately prevailed, out-touching Cashmore by just 0.29 seconds to finish in 2:37.79 for her third medal of London 2012.
While Heather Frederiksen added to her medal tally with a silver in the S8 100m Freestyle, and Susannah Rodgers took bronze in the S7 400m freestyle.
“I’m so, so pleased with what I’ve done here,” said Frederiksen, who has also won S8 100m Backstroke gold and S8 400m Freestyle silver in London.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy coming in to this competition with the lack of training I’ve had through illness. But I’ve given it a good go and I’m really pleased with it.
“It’s a complete adrenalin rush while you’re here. Every single moment of it. I can’t thank the crowd enough for their support.”
Sportsister, The Women’s Sports Magazine
