Southorn Claims New Zealand’s First 2012 Paralympic Medal

It may have taken three Paralympic games, but a gobsmacked Fiona Southorn finally has a Paralympic medal she can call her own, after stamping her name on a bronze medal in the London Velodrome.

“I can’t believe it, no, it’s incredible, I’m getting faster with age, so bring on the next one,” said Southorn with a widening smile on her face.

Competing in the C5 individual women’s pursuit means the 44 year old from Waipu, North of Auckland has a limb deficiency in her left arm, but there was absolutely no issues with her legs today as she backed up the storming time she posted in the heat, with a total dismantling of Great Britain’s Crystal Lane in the ride off for the final podium spot.

“I was a bit possessed because I wanted that bronze medal, I went hard out this morning so I didn’t have quite as much left but I still gave it my best shot,”  laughs Southorn.
And give it her best shot she did, swiping 5 seconds off her personal best during her heat.“I had seven seconds on her this morning so it was just a matter of hunting her down, as soon as I could see her in my sights I just maintained my vision and I knew I had her then."

The bronze medal matches the one she won at the world champs in Los Angles earlier this year, but having her family in the crowd gave it that extra special feeling. It was down to the aid of Southorn’s friend Sarah Storey of Great Britain who actually won the gold medal in the same race. “We needed a UK address to get the extra tickets sent to, so Sarah actually helped me by giving me her address,” explained Southorn.

Not only did the Waipu Real Estate agent have the distinction of winning New Zealand’s first medal at the London Games, but Southorn will also add her name to the history books when she becomes the first women rider to line up in the team sprint over the weekend.


In Other results today results, Auckland swimmer
19 year old Rebecca Dubber, was just a second outside the medals in the  S7 100m backstroke final finishing in 5th  on her Paralympic debut and Taranaki cyclist Nathan Smith who celebrated his 36th birthday yesterday, was happy enough with his 23rd in the C1-3 men's kilo. This event was just one he and coach Brendon Cameron choose as an introduction to the Velodrome.