Steadman wins World Paratriathlon Gold
Lauren Steadman defended her PT4 world title with dominance from start to finish at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Chicago. The two-time Paralympic swimmer built a lead and held on to it until the finish with a supreme performance.
Although she commented afterwards that the race was fiercely competitive, the 22 year old always looked in control and won with possibly her best performance since taking up triathlon in 2012.
She said:
“I know the swim is my strength but you can’t just be a swimmer. I tried to hold them on the bike, then the head coach and my dad shouted that it had to be the best 5km of my life, and I had to have the right form and focus. Seeing the blue carpet of the finishing straight felt amazing. Really the standard has dramatically shifted, which is excellent for Paralympic sport.”
Alison Patrick wasn’t able to defend her world title in the PT5 race for visually impaired athletes, but it took a monumental effort by Australian’s Katie Kelly to beat her.
Kelly competed with former ITU elite world champion, Michellie Jones as her guide and won her fifth out of five races that she has competed in since bursting on to the scene earlier this year. Her winning margin was just 29 seconds, all of which was gained on the bike.
Ryan Taylor stepped up with a huge performance in the PT2 section. Recruited to triathlon from the England cerebral palsy football team, the 22 year-old from Derby underlined his potential with a brilliant bronze medal, despite falling off his bike.
He said:
“My run was awesome, and I’m delighted that I got third!”
Britain’s final medal was won by Lizzie Tench in the PT1 category for wheel chair athletes. Although not a Rio Paralympic category for women, this was a very competitive race, which was won by Kendall Gretsch (USA).
With the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games just a year away, the standard of competition at this event was the highest ever by a long way. Triathlon will make its Paralympic debut on Copacabana Beach next year and promises to be one of the highlights of the Games.
Results, ITU Paratriathlon World Championships, Chicago: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
Women's PT1
1. Kendall Gretsch, USA, 1:13:29
2. Emily Tapp, AUS, 1:19:45
3. Lizzie Tench, GBR, 1:20:05
Women's PT4
1. Lauren Steadman, GBR, 1:08:19
2. Grace Norman, USA, 1:09:48
3. Kate Doughty, AUS, 1:11:18
4. Faye Mcclelland, GBR, 1:11:59
Women's PT5
1. Katie Kelly, AUS, 1:08:51
2. Alison Patrick, GBR, 1:09:20
3. Susana Rodriguez, ESP, 1:11:29
6. Melissa Reid GBR, 1:13:09
Men's PT1
1. Bill Chaffey, AUS, 58:38
2. Krige Schabort, USA, 59:55
3. Jetze Plat, NED, 1:00:32
6. Phil Hogg, GBR, 1:03:08
7. Joseph Townsend, GBR, 1:04:13
Men's PT2
1. Michele Ferrarin, ITA, 1:10:00
2. Stephane Bahier, FRA, 1:10:34
3. Ryan Taylor, GBR, 1:11:11
10. Andrew Lewis, GBR, 1:19:03
Men's PT4
1. Stefan Daniel, CAN, 59:27
2. Martin Schulz, GER, 59:57
3. Yannick Bourseaux, FRA, 1:00:37
7. David Hill, GBR, 1:03:40
9. George Peasgood, GBR, 1:04:39
