Paralympian, Olympian tandem team clocks fastest British Kilo record ever

From The Telegraph in the UK:

Former Olympic gold medallist Jason Queally and double Paralympic champion Anthony Kappes (pictured) set a new British Kilo record at the Manchester Velodrome.

The new tandem pairing of sighted pilot rider and partially-sighted tandem partner enjoying their first outing together at the Manchester Velodrome on May 22, clocking the fastest time ever over the Kilo distance by a British pairing on a tandem, able-bodied or disabled, in 1 min 1.626 secs[one minute, one point six two six seconds].

From now until London 2012, it will be a partnership worth monitoring. Records are on their minds. Big time.

Beijing medallists to shine at BT Paralympic World CupIt was classed as an exhibition event at the BT Paralympic World Cup, as Queally must complete a three-calendar year cycle away from able-bodied competition. In the meantime, they will seek to break the all-time world record for the Kilo.

Kappes explained: “I’m searching for the absolute fastest time ever for the tandem, but it is taking some research as it was set way back when. Partnership is going well, we are experimenting at the moment, but today has given us a look at the bigger picture.”

Great Britain claimed for more gold medals to bring the number to ten wins over the three days of competition. Sarah Storey bagged the first of the session, winning the three kilometre pursuit, followed by Aileen McGlynn and Vicky Begg in the B&Vi 3km pursuit, the men's team sprint and the men's B&Vi sprint.

Jody Cundy, who converted to cycling after being a Paralympic swimming champion, set a new world record of 10.998 seconds in the LC2 200m flying start, previously held by Germany's Mario Hammar, an LC1 rider, in 11.410 secs.

Cundy’s precision and power with a prosthetic lower limb aerodynamically designed by Chris Boardman can now claim to be the fastest solo paracyclist in history.

Cundy then returned to the track to win the team sprint in 50.218 secs alongside Darren Kenny and Mark Bristow. "The new world record finished it off really. I’d set myself the goal of breaking 11 seconds, which is a pretty good time.”

Great Britain's wheelchair basketball teams have yet to win a match here but insist that the BT Paralympic World Cup this year is being used as a tryout event with new squads. GB’s men lost 48-35 to Paralympic champions Australia in the semi-final, but know they have pedigree in the squad. GB has won bronze medals in the sport at the last two Paralympic Games.

The GB women’s team, with a group of neophyte senior players under 19, lost all four preliminary matches, will meet China in the play-off for third and fourth following a 54-35 last four defeat to Holland, the Paralympic World Cup defending champions.

South African ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius, and British wheelchair racer David Weir are both in action on Sunday at the SportCity Athletics Stadium.