Multi-sport man Chernove wins third medal
RIO DE JANEIRO — Canadian cyclist Tristen Chernove is at his best when he’s sailing along at 40 kilometres an hour under the soothing heat of the sun.
Life is about as close to perfect as it can be.
The 41-year-old from Powell River roared to gold in the time trial on Wednesday, for his third medal of the Rio Paralympics and one of five claimed by Canada’s cycling team on the day.
And after the victory, Chernove talked about how para-cycling is helping him adapt to the ravages of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and of that wonderful feeling of flying.
“It’s totally freeing,” Chernove said with a wide grin. “Believe me, overcoming what some would consider limitations created by the disease is never on my mind. I’m just being an athlete, I’m just doing all I can.”
Chernove raced to a time of 27 minutes 43.16 seconds to beat Ireland’s Colin Lynch, who was second in the C2 category in 28:02.25.
The Canadian, who just joined the national team last year, also has a pair of medals from the track: a silver in the 3,000-metre individual pursuit and bronze in the 1,000-metre time trial.
Chernove’s victory kicked off a spectacular day in the time trial for Canada.
Ross Wilson of Sherwood Park, Alta., captured silver in the C1 category for his second medal in Rio, Charles Moreau of Victoriaville, Que. took bronze in the H3 class, Calgary’s Michael Sametz took bronze in the men’s C3 event, and Shelley Gautier of Niagara Falls, Ont., was third in the combined C1 and C2 race.
Chernove was a competitive paddler who took up cycling after being diagnosed with CMT, a degenerative disease that affects the peripheral nerves and causes the muscles to atrophy.
Cycling can’t stop the degeneration of his lower legs and lower arms, Chernove said — it’s the nature of the disease.
“I have to learn how to be OK with that,” he said. “However, psychologically, to be fitter than I’ve been in my whole life feels wonderful.