On the Women’s race, a phenomenal Lauren Parker was the first out of the water, almost two minutes ahead the rest of the female athletes, enough for her to do a smooth transition and head for the handbike section with a clear lead, that she managed to keep throughout. Her teammate, world champion Emily Tapp had to work hard to chase her but she kept riding strong behind her, trying to secure the top medal positions for the Assies.
Because of a staggered start where PTWC 2 (least impaired wheelchair users) athletes started 3.58 minutes behind PTWC 1 athletes, Jones exited the water in third place, 3.37 behind Parker, but recorded the fastest swim. And it was in the cycling and running where Jones proved too good. She soon overtook Tapp on the cycle, before Parker tired on the run.
With the crowd cheering her home, Jones, the T54 1500m bronze medallist at Glasgow 2014, clinched the historic first Commonwealth Games women’s paratriathlon gold medal, with the two Aussies, Tapp and Parker, finishing behind her, to mirror the podium for the men’s event. “I was always chasing which is tough mentally, but to push through was great. I swam really well and I have been working on my swimming for the past six months. Anybody who knows me knows how much this means to me. I have only been doing Paratriathlon for 18 months, and although I have made a lot of improvements, I still have a long way to go,” said the new Paratriathlon gold medallist.
“I loved hearing the roar of the crowd when I was coming in at the end there, and to see all my family and friends supporting me”, explained silver medallist, Tapp.
“I’m so happy with my performance, so stoked with bronze today”, said Parker, who suffered an accident that left her in a wheelchair less than a year ago. “I like being chased and getting to pull away and get in front. I mean, I had a moment at the end there (Parker tipped over coming into the winning straight) but you just have to keep going. I have a lot to improve on, but overall I’m so stoked with my performance”.
