LONDON – Canada won bronze in women’s team pursuit at the Olympic Velodrome on Saturday, beating Australia in a thrilling back-and-forth race
Tara Whitten of Edmonton, Gillian Carleton of Victoria and Jasmin Glaesser of Coquitlam, B.C., finished in three minutes 17.915 seconds for an average speed of 54.52 kilometres per hour. Australia was timed in 3:18.096.
The Canadians started fast but Australia came on. There were several lead changes before the Canadians clawed back the lead for good.
“The last three laps,” I was seeing stars, Carleton said. “I probably had my eyes closed half the time.”
Whitten, who set the pace for the Canadians throughout the race, disappeared quickly after the medals were presented to by Canada’s Dick Pound, who is member of the International Olympic Committee. She is preparing for the omnium, a grueling event in which six races, ranging from a sprint to a 20-km points race, are held over two days.
The back of the medal is for everyone that helped us out – thank you all