Sisters add track medals to their list of accolades

Cycling sisters Emily and Danica Wiggins produced brilliant performances at the 2018 WA State Junior Track Championships earlier this month, combining to win 12 medals despite their inexperience at track competition.

Having only competed in track events in the velodrome for about a year, the Albany siblings shone at the championships held from January 12-14, in their respective age divisions.

Emily, 13, had a brilliant few days of competition, winning five gold medals and one silver, while older sister Danica won six silver medals.

In the under-15 women’s age group, Emily became State champion in five different events, firstly winning the 500m time trial by 0.67sec. before finishing second in the keirin final, and then rounded out a big day with gold in the 5km scratch race.

The following day Emily added two more titles, downing Sally Carter in the sprint gold final and then winning the 30-lap points race by 15 points.

Her final gold medal effort came on day three when she again beat Carter, this time in the pursuit gold final by 4.28sec. seconds.

Danica, in the under-17 women’s age group, collected six silver medals for her runner-up efforts in the 500m time trial, keirin final, 5km scratch race, sprint gold final, 50-lap points race and pursuit gold final.

The 15-year-old lost the 50-lap points race to Dharlia Haines narrowly by six points and went down to Haines by 0.91sec. in the time trial. The two Albany Cycling Club members have won a stack of State titles in road racing and now on the track, following in the footsteps of older brother Craig.