Posted: August 23, 2005

Paralympics: Chantal Petitclerc wins Canada's third gold at European Paralympic track and field championships

ESPOO, Finland-Wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc of Montreal won Canada's third gold medal at the European Paralympic track and field championships for athletes with a disability with a resounding win in the women's T54 category 400 metre for paraplegics in windy conditions Tuesday at Lappavaara Stadium

Petitclerc, a quintuple champion at the Paralympic Games last year in Athens, clocked 55.65 seconds. Tatyana McFadden of the U.S., was second in 58.57 and Edith Hunkeler of Switzerland third at 58.82. Jessica Matassa of Windsor, Ont, was fifth in 1:00.02 and Diane Roy of Sherbrooke, Que., the 5,000 winner on Monday, was seventh in 1:00.35.

"I'm super happy," said Petitclerc. "I had a great start and when I saw that I reached a maximum speed of 31 kilometres an hour I knew I had a big lead because few girls can roll above 30 kilometres an hour on this slow track."

Other Canadian finalists Tuesday were Jason Dunkerley of Hamilton fifth in the men's T11 800 for visually impaired, William Stanley of Calgary seventh in the men's T13 100 for visually impaired and Dustin Walsh of Coquitlam, B.C., fourth in the T11 100 B final.

On Wednesday, Petitclerc and Roy each go for a second medal in the 1500 final. Canada's other gold medalist, Eric Gauthier of St-Faustin, Que., looks for more hardware in the T53 800 final. Jacques Martin of Sherbrooke Que., is a gold medal contender in the men's T55 javelin.

Wheelchair racer Dean Bergeron of Quebec City won a bronze on Monday to round out Canada's medallists so far.

Competition runs until Saturday.