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Paratriathletes kick off World Event Series in South Africa

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An eight-strong British Paratriathlon squad will compete in South Africa this weekend at the first round of the ITU World Paratriathlon Event series. Fresh from a two-week long winter training camp in Lanzarote earlier this month, this will be a good early-season test, as well as valuable race experience for new members of the squad.

The event takes place in East London, within the Buffalo City region; around an hour and a half northeast of Cape Town. It will see newcomer to the World Class Lottery Funded Paratriathlon Squad, Rhiannon Henry, make her triathlon debut in the Women’s PT5 (visually impaired) category.

The three-time Paralympic swimmer and Commonwealth Games cyclist made her transition to triathlon over the winter, and will race with a guide athlete through the 750m swim, 20km tandem bike ride and 5km run.

British Triathlon Performance Manager, Jonathan Riall, said: “Rhiannon comes to the squad with such a competitive background and a wealth of experience.”

He added: “What’s maybe the most exciting part is that she’s joined our training environment and knows now that she’s still not the best swimmer she could be, and can still improve on the bike. There’s so much still to give. I can’t wait to see how far she could go.”

Rhiannon will face tough competition from teammate Melissa Reid, the reigning ITU World Paratriathlon silver medallist, who has chosen to start her season earlier than many other of Britain’s top Paratriathletes. Both Melissa and Rhiannon will be guided by athletes identified by British Triathlon’s ‘Guide for Gold’ programme late last year, Grace France and Nicole Walters. 

Claire Cunningham, the ITU World Championship bronze medallist, will be the favourite in the PT4 category. Her objective from this will be to secure points towards her world ranking, which ultimately will qualify athletes for the ITU World Championships in Chicago in September.

The men’s PT2 category features Andy Lewis and Ryan Taylor, who were newcomers to Paratriathlon a year ago. Now training full-time at the elite facilities in Loughborough, they will be looking to win early season rankings points to carry them into the major events later in the season.

George Peasgood takes the final spot on team, representing Great Britain in the men’s PT4 event.

Jonathan Riall said: “I’m excited to see what some of the newer members of the team can deliver in an international race. It’s a chance to see where we are at so early on in the season.”

The ITU World Paratriathlon Event Series follows a similar format to the able-bodied ITU World Triathlon Series, whereby athletes aim to obtain ranking points. Points determine world rankings and, ultimately, who is selected to start at major championship events such as the European and World Championships.

 

Great Britain Paratriathlon Team – Sunday 1 March, 09:00 (local time)

Women

PT4: Clare Cunningham

PT5: Melissa Reid (guided by Grace France), Rhiannon Henry (guided by Nicole Walters)

Men

PT2: Andy Lewis, Ryan Taylor

PT4: George Peasgood

 

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