KEY POINTS:
Visually impaired New Zealand track cyclist Jayne Parsons finished within two seconds of a medal on the opening day of the Paralympics in Beijing yesterday.
Parsons and pilot Annaliisa were fifth in the women's 1km time trial, clocking one minute 14.048 seconds. It was 1.585sec outside the time that would have earned them bronze.
The event was won by defending champions Aileen McGlyn of Great Britain and her pilot Ellen Hunter in a world record time of 1min 09.066sec.
Meanwhile, a host of New Zealand Boccia athletes began their singles campaigns in mixed style.
The best was Liam Sanders, competing in the BC1 class for athletes with less severe physical disabilities.
He won two matches and lost one to lead his group with one match qualifying match remaining today.
In BC2 competition, Jeremy Morris and Maurice Toon both recorded a win and a loss. They are in the same group, with Morris emerging victorious against his compatriot 9-4.
In another group, Kerry Bonner lost both his opening matches.
The best of the BC3 New Zealand athletes was Greig Jackson, who had a win and loss.
Mandy Slade and Henk Dijkstra suffered two losses from two matches.
- NZPA
