Sarah Storey launches Paralympic gold bid with cycling WR - ChronicleLive

SARAH Storey set a world record in qualification for the women's C5 individual pursuit as Great Britain's cyclists made a blistering start to competition at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

In front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Storey clocked three minutes 32.170 seconds to advance to the gold medal ride-off of the three-kilometre event, with compatriot Crystal Lane progressing to the race for bronze by qualifying fourth in 3mins 59.220secs.

Storey has won seven Paralympic titles since making her debut in Barcelona as a swimmer in 1992 and is aiming to add to her collection in London.

The 35-year-old, who was in contention for Britain's Olympic team pursuit squad until last December, was more than 16 seconds quicker than nearest rival, Anna Harkowska of Poland (3:48.885), who she will meet in the final.

"I know we heard our colleagues say this during the Olympics but it's so hard to explain the energy they give you. I just can't explain it really," Storey told Channel 4. "On the last lap I could hear I was on for the record. This is everything. I've been working on this in training so hard. I'm so chuffed."

Lane is set to ride off against Fiona Southorn of New Zealand (3:52.695) in the race for the third place, little more than three weeks after learning she would compete in the Paralympics and four years after Storey's performance in China captured her attention.

Speaking before her place in the medal rounds was assured, the 26-year-old, who was awarded a late place in the Games, said: "I was really pleased that I got a personal best. That's all I could ask for."

Ireland's James Brown and Damien Shaw clocked 4:25.557 in qualifying for the bronze medal ride-off in the men's blind and visually impaired 4km tandem pursuit.

Brown and Shaw are set to meet Spain's Miguel Angel Clemente and Diego Munoz in the race for third.

There is set to be an all-Australian final, with Kieran Modra and Scott McPhee to meet Bryce Lindores and Sean Finning.

Olympics diving: Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow miss out on medal

By Nick Hope BBC Sport at the Aquatics Centre European Champions Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow say they have "no regrets" after finishing fifth in the synchronised diving 10m platform final.

The British pair were in second place after the opening two rounds, but small mistakes cost them an Olympic podium finish.

Chinese pair Chen Ruolin and Hao Wang collected gold, Mexico took silver and Canada the bronze.

Leon Taylor BBC diving commentator

"The British girls were very consistent, but you cannot take anything away from the three podium finishers. It was sensational diving from the women on the platform. The bar is continually being lifted and there are some new players in town.

"But it does also prove that the Chinese are not infallible. They are human after all and will be feeling the occasion. But they don't need to be their best to win the gold. They can dive at 85% capacity and still be good enough to thump the rest of the field."

"I think we both had a great experience," said Couch.

"Our first two dives were just brilliant and, although our options weren't as good as normal, we did score a lot higher than at Europeans, so it is a great performance. We don't have any regrets."

Barrow admitted she was disappointed they could not capitalise on their strong start, but praised the home crowd for the boost their support gave them in the final routine.

"It was so loud and even better than the World Cup [Olympic test event in February, where the pair claimed bronze]," she said. "I think we were definitely encouraged by it."

Couch, who finished eighth alongside Stacie Powell at the Beijing Games, believes better is to come from her partnership with Barrow.

"We've only been diving as a pair for about two and a half years, whereas the Canadians have been diving since 2005," added Couch. "Sarah and I have a lot more to give and I'm excited. Bring on the next one."