Fairy-tale Storey picks up 18th gold

PARALYMPIC legend Dame Sarah Storey was "utterly delighted" yesterday as she raced to her 18th gold medal.

- Robert Kellaway

Sarah, 46, extended her record as Team GB's most successful Paralympian, in a career spanning more than 30 years.

In what is her ninth Games, the cyclist beat French star Heidi Gaugain in the C5 time trial in Paris.

It was the shortest Paralympic road course she had ever experienced, at just 14.1km.

Sarah was particularly pleased to win her fifth consecutive gold in the event while her two children, Louisa, 11, and Charlie, six, watched, along with husband Barney.

She said: "Louisa said to me last night at dinner, 'This is the first Games I'm going to remember'.

"I'm utterly delighted. I had a target to get five gold medals [in the time trial]. I feel so, so proud.

Cheering