The New Zealand women’s sprint cycling team won a silver medal in an impressive performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The team, consisting of Rebecca Petch, Shaane Fulton, and Ellesse Andrews, set a world record in the new three-woman sprint relay on their way to the final. They were narrowly defeated by the British team, who broke the world record three times during the competition.
The New Zealand team is a mix of experience and rising talent. Rebecca Petch, 26, who competed in BMX at the Tokyo Olympics, plays the important starter role in the relay. Shaane Fulton, 23, is a promising athlete just beginning her journey in the sport. Ellesse Andrews, 24, is a seasoned cyclist with an Olympic silver medal, a world championship in keirin, and three Commonwealth Games gold medals.
Initially, the team aimed for a sixth-place finish, which would have been a great achievement for such a young team. However, they exceeded expectations by qualifying second with a time of 45.593 seconds, just behind the British team’s 45.472 seconds.
In the semi-finals, the Germans set a new world record, but New Zealand broke it with a time of 45.348 seconds against Poland. The British team once again topped them with a 45.338-second finish, setting the stage for a thrilling final between New Zealand and Great Britain.
In the final, the British team excelled with a time of 45.186 seconds. New Zealand finished with a strong 45.659 seconds, securing the silver medal. This achievement is expected to inspire the entire New Zealand track cycling squad in upcoming events.
Ellesse Andrews’ father, Jon Andrews, is the sprint team coach and a former champion cyclist. He expressed his surprise and pride at the team’s success. “Not many would have picked New Zealand to make that final,” he said. “When you look around here and see the great cycling nations competing, it’s pretty amazing that we beat all but one of them. But they’re a good team. They train hard, they have a nice bond and they’re close. They’re there for each other.”
