Great Britain paratriathletes secured five medals at the Rio Test Event on Copacabana Beach. Lauren Steadman and Alison Patrick won gold medals as the Rio 2016 Paratriathlon course was tested ahead of the sport’s debut next summer.
A 750m sea swim was followed by bike and run legs along the Copacabana beach front in front of weekend sun seekers and triathlon fans from around the world. Although results at this race don’t form part of the British Paralympic selection policy, the experience of winning medals this year will only help focus athletes on the Games next September.
Steadman led from start to finish, delivering a world champion’s performance with Faye McClelland securing a bronze behind her. Grace Norman (USA) split the British duo.
Alison Patrick had to come from behind to win the PT5 event for visually impaired athletes. She and Grace France were a minute down after the bike leg but ran brilliantly to secure gold.
Melissa Reid, guided by Nicole Walters, had taken the lead at the start of the run from Joleen Hakker (NED) and she held on for silver when Patrick came past her.
Andy Lewis secured the best result of his career with bronze in the PT2 category and Joe Townsend also had his best ever result with fourth in a very competitive PT1 event. Phil Hogg was sixth.
George Peasgood, the youngster of the team at 19, was happy with sixth place in the men’s PT4 event after leading out the swim and bike legs.
Head Coach, Jonathon Riall commented: “Five medals meets our target for today. From the guys we have here, and the really strong fields, I’m very happy.”
Athlete quotes:
Lauren Steadman – Gold PT4
It was definitely the hardest race yet this season. [There were some] tough competitors, some you don’t race in Europe, so it was really good to see where I am against them, but I’m glad I raced here to feel a lot more prepared for next year.
Alison Patrick – Gold PT5
Our aim was to try and swim to the first buoy as quickly as we could. The bike is hard to gauge, as it’s such a fast course it’s and it’s hard to make gains, but it was nice and strong, then I had an amazing run. It was really good.
Melissa Reid – Silver PT5
That’s probably the best swim we’ve had all year, I’m happy with that. Second place is ok.
Andy Lewis – Bronze PT2
That last sprint, trying to get the second was really tough. I finished third, I saw the guy in front of me, his artificial leg was a bit loose towards the end. I saw he stopped to sort it and then we sprinted.
Faye McClelland – Bronze PT4
The American girl was really strong today, I just couldn’t catch her.
Rio de Janeiro ITU World Paratriathlon Event – Paralympic Test Event: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
Men’s PT1
1. Bill Chaffey, AUS, 59:41
2. Krige Schabort, USA, 59:57
3. Geert Schipper, NED, 1:00:04
4. Joseph Townsend, GBR, 1:01:19
6. Phil Hogg, GBR, 1:02:29
Men’s PT2
1. Vasily Egorov, RUS, 1:08:58
2. Mark Barr, USA, 1:10:41
3. Andrew Lewis, GBR, 1:10:56
Women’s PT4
1. Lauren Steadman, GBR, 1:08:46
2. Grace Norman, USA, 1:09:45
3. Faye Mcclelland, GBR, 1:11:24
Men’s PT4
1. Martin Schulz, GER, 59:11
2. Stefan Daniel, CAN, 1:00:19
3. Yannick Bourseaux, FRA, 1:00:41
6. George Peasgood, GBR, 1:02:06
Women’s PT5
1. Alison Patrick, GBR, 1:09:13
2. Melissa Reid, GBR, 1:10:15
3. Patricia Walsh, USA, 1:11:44
