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Raynsford makes history

ParalympicsGB - 11/09/2008

Helene Raynsford wins first ever Paralympic rowing gold
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Headlines

Pearson claims title nine: Lee Pearson won his ninth Paralympic Games title as Britain dominated tonight’s freestyle competitions winning two gold medals and three silvers to complete British equestrian’s most successful Games.

Raynsford makes rowing history: Helene Raynsford won the first ever Paralympic rowing gold in the single skulls while Tom Aggar took the men’s title and the mixed fours crew added a bronze.

Skelhon shoots to record gold: Matt Skelhon fired a world record to take Paralympic gold in the air rifle prone, hitting the bulls eye with every effort.

Three out of three for Roberts: David Roberts won his 10th Paralympic medal with his third gold of the 2008 Games and second world record. He goes for gold number four on Sunday.

GB medals today: 14 Gold: 6 Silver: 3 Bronze: 5

GB medals overall: 57 Gold: 27 Silver: 16 Bronze: 14

Sport by Sport round-up

Archery: Danielle Brown out-shot China’s Wang Li to secure a semi-final place against teammate Mel Clarke who defeated Pippa Britton. John Stubbs shot a Paralympic record to beat USA’s Eric Bennett.

Athletics: David Weir won his second medal of the Games, taking a bronze in the T54 5000m to go with the 400m silver he won yesterday. There was disappointment for Britain’s throwers as Richard Schabel finished eighth in the discus and Beverley Jones fifth in her shot final.

Basketball: Britain’s men beat Israel 82-67 in the final group game to book a quarter-final tie against Germany on Saturday. The women lost narrowly to Germany and will face Japan in tomorrow’s quarters.

Boccia: Britain’s convincing 11-1 win over Norway booked the world No 1 side a semi-final clash against China tomorrow with Nigel Murray promising there is more to come from his young team.

Equestrian: Lee Pearson won his ninth Paralympic title as Britain took two freestyle golds and three silvers on the final day of competition in Hong Kong. Sophie Christiansen won gold in the grade 1a competition, while Anne Dunham, Ricky Balshaw and Simon Laurens claimed silvers.

Football: Britain’s five-a-side team lost 1-3 to Spain after going ahead through David Clarke who notched his 97th international goal on his 38th birthday. They face Brazil next on Saturday

Powerlifting: Heartbreak for Jason Irving as a bronze medal was snatched from his clutches when a protest ruled out his third lift. Irving finished sixth as her crashed “from elation to earth in 60 seconds”.

Rowing: Helene Raynsford made history as the first ever rowing champion at a Paralympics Games, followed shortly by Tom Aggar. Raynsford won gold in the women’s arms only single skull and Aggar the men’s equivalent, while the legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed fours took bronze.

Sailing: Nik Birrell and crewmate Alex Rickham won their SKUD18 race as the regatta was restricted to one race per class due to lack of wind. The SKUD pair moved into fourth overall with Britain’s other two boats seventh.

Shooting: Matt Skelhon shot a perfect score to win an unexpected gold in the R3-10m air rifle prone (SH1), equalling the world record in the process. The Peterborough student beat China’s Zhang Cuiping by half a point in the final round. James Bevis was 19th in the R4-10m air rifle standing (SH2).

Swimming: David Roberts won gold number three as stays on course for four our of four, while Heather Frederiksen, Louise Watkin and Sam Hynd all won bronze medals.

Tennis: Semi-final defeat for quad doubles pair Peter Norfolk and Jamie Burdekin means they fight for bronze on Saturday. Lucy Shuker and Jordanne Whiley lost their women’s doubles quarter-final.