In her first UCI Para – cycling Track World Championships, the remarkable Alison Patrick from Dunfermline won bronze in the tandem 1000m Time Trial (1:11.115) and then just lost out to Belgium for a second bronze in the tandem 3K pursuit. Alison shared the success on this occasion with Helen Scott. Hazel Smith (now McLeod) was her Para- triathlete pilot when she won silver at the Paralympic Games in Rio.
Sophie Thornhill and Corrine Hall from GB won double gold. Scot Aileen McGlynn won silver in 1K time trial with pilot Louise Haston (1:11.089) and finished 6th in 3K Pursuit. Lorna Turnham and Hazel McLeod from GB won silver in 3K pursuit to make it an outstanding all round tandem performance by Team GB Elite Women.
Alison is a specialist in the disciplines of swimming, cycling and running. Entry into track cycling is an effort to see how realistic it is to gain selection for Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018 where she would have Hazel McLeod (nee Smith) on board as her pilot. The results from Los Angeles clearly indicate she is off to a brilliant start. Helen has had considerable success in track cycling and was the ideal partner for Fife’s exceptional visually impaired all rounder. Alison now returns to her preparations for the European Para – triathlon championships later this year.
Well done to the Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council Sports Personality of the Year.
Photo of Alison with Grace Francis who was her pilot at the Test Event in Rio prior to the Games.
Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife