Jones, who is coached by the 11-time Paralympic gold medallist, is tipped by many to emulate her mentor by becoming a Paralympic champion.

But she faces a tough test in New Zealand competing against the world's best in the T54 category in the 200, 400 and 800 metres when competition gets under way on the track on Friday (January 21).

Baroness Tanni, who will be here taking up a dual role as a presenter for the BBC and Jones' coach, believes her prodigy will hugely benefit from competing in New Zealand.

She said: "For Jade, it is not so much about medals but actually getting used to being with the team, travelling and being away for a long time and lots of other things like that.

"I think having a friendly face like me will help her out a bit as well.


"Jade posted some incredibly fast times this season, so we are quite excited about what she might do."

Baroness Tanni, who remains one of the world's most recognisable Paralympians, said there is added importance for the event as it offers qualifying points for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

More than 1,000 athletes from over 70 countries will be competing at the 20,000-capacity QU II Stadium in Christchurch and will be looking to get their year off to the best possible start with great performances at the 10-day event.

"I think there is a lot of pressure on the guys because they all know that how they do and where they finish affects the team places for 2012," said Baroness Tanni.

"I think the timing is quite interesting.

"A lot of the guys, even those from the southern hemisphere, are used to competing in a northern European calendar.

"It's not only having to address their winter training league towards the worlds, but thinking really carefully about what they do for the next 18 months going into London.

"Thanks to the timing there might be some athletes we weren't expecting that might just get it right.

"I think we are going to see some really interesting races."

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