“Our high performance para-cyclists are amongst the best in the world, including Paralympic and World Champions.”

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) has announced Jono Hailstone as their new para-cycling head performance coach.

Hailstone has been involved with New Zealand’s para-cycling programme for five years, recently serving as the assistant performance coach since April 2013.

He coached Fiona Southorn to a bronze medal in the 3km pursuit in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Most recently, Hailstone guided Kate Horan to two successive silver medals at the 2014 and 2015 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships, and Tim Williams to gold at the 2014 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships.

“New Zealand para-cycling has gone from strength to strength, and I am very excited about driving forward and building on that success,” Hailstone said. “Our focus will continue to extend to development athletes coming through the programme and ensuring their sustainability.”

“Our high performance para-cyclists are amongst the best in the world, including Paralympic and World Champions,” he added. “I am passionate about ensuring they continue to perform to their absolute best on the world stage.”

Hailstone will succeed Brendon Cameron, who became the women’s endurance track cycling coach with Cycling New Zealand.

Hailstone will join Dale McDonald, PNZ’s para-cycling national development co-ordinator, and Stuart McDonald, support performance coach, on staff.

“Jono’s knowledge of para-cycling that he gained from his experiences with the London campaign will be invaluable to our programme as we continue to build to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games,” said Malcolm Humm, PNZ high performance director. “His knowledge and skills will ensure that our athletes and coaching team have the best possible leadership and support.”