Sophie Pascoe was forced to compete at the IPC World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland without her long-time coach Roly Crichton.
Crichton had to return to New Zealand due to unexpected health problems that came up after working with Pascoe at altitude in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Pascoe and Crichton had been working together for 15 years, and this was the first time that she was without him at a major competition in 10 years.
Pascoe told stuff.co.nz, “you don’t realize until something is taken away from you how much you actually rely on someone that’s worth so much to your program.”
Regardless of Crichton’s absence, Pascoe managed to return home to Christchurch, New Zealand Wednesday with three golds, a silver and two bronze medals. Pascoe’s greatest triumphs came in the SM10 200m IM, the S10 100m fly, and the S10 100m free where she took home gold in each event. That brings her total IPC World Championship medal tally up to 16, including eight golds.
The 10 time Paralympic medallist was in contact with her coach every morning and every night while competing in Glasgow.
As for Crichton’s condition, Pascoe said that, “he’s doing really well. It’s great to hear his health has come a long way since departing each other in the USA.”
Stuff.co.nz reports that Pascoe will be taking the rest of the week off before returning to training on Monday in preparation for the Rio 2016 Paralympic games.
