Romero and Houvenaghel Boost British Medal Hopes
BEIJING, Aug 15, 2008 (AFP) - Wendy Houvenaghel clocked the fastest time of
qualifying for the women’s Olympic individual pursuit here Friday to further
boost Britain’s medal chances.
The northern-Irishwoman, a bronze medal winner at world level, clocked 3min
28.4sec for the 3km race against the clock to claim her place in the first
round alongside reigning world champion and teammate Rebecca Romero.
The British duo’s performances have raised the bar for the likes of
American Sarah Hammer and Australian Katie Mactier.
Hammer, who gave up the first of her two world titles to Romero at the
world championships in March, could only finish fifth fastest in a time of
3:35.471.
Mactier, a silver medallist in the event at Athens, finished seventh
fastest from the field in a time of 3:38.178.
Ukrainian Lesya Kalitovska meanwhile boosted her medal chances by finishing
third fastest in 3:31.942, with New Zealand’s Alison Shanks fourth.
Vilija Sereikaite of Lithuania was sixth while Lada Kozlikova of the Czech
Republic did enough in her ride to qualify last of the field, depriving
Switzerland’s Olympic road bronze medallist Karin Thurig.
The first round of the women’s pursuit will be held Saturday. The four
fastest times from that round give entry to the medals rounds.
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