Paratriathlon returns to Great Britain this weekend as Swansea plays host to the 2023 World Triathlon Para Series.
Taking place at the Prince of Wales Dock and SA1 Waterfront, 13 Brits will compete alongside other world leading paratriathletes for vital ranking points ahead of next summer’s Paralympic Games in Paris.
In the PTWC category, Joshua Landmann comes into the race on the back of a third-place finish at 2023 World Triathlon Para Cup A Coruna and after securing fourth at 2023 World Triathlon Para Series Devonport. Bret Crossley joins him on the start line for his first international race of the season, having not competed since a seventh-place finish at 2022 World Triathlon Para Cup Alanya back in October.
Mel Nicholls is the sole Brit on the start line in the PTWC women’s race and will be looking to be on the podium after back-to-back silver medals at World Triathlon Para Cup A Coruna and Europe Triathlon Championship Madrid in July and June respectively.
Louis Rolfe and Brett Daughtrey are flying the British flag in the PTS2 race. Rolfe, who competed in the British Triathlon Para Super Series in Swansea last year, comes into the race after earning a bronze medal in A Coruna at the start of the month. While Daughtrey is competing for the first time this year internationally.
British Triathlon Para Super Series leader Henry Urand is competing in the PTS3 category after a sixth-place finish at World Triathlon Para Cup Besancon back in June.
Michael Taylor and Finley Jakes are the British interest in the men’s PTS4 race. Taylor comes into Swansea after finishing third at 2023 World Triathlon Para Cup Besancon. At last year’s event he finished in fifth, just missing out on a podium place. Jakes, who was 11th at this race last year, competed just last weekend at 2023 World Triathlon Para Series Montreal where he came ninth.
In the women’s PTS4 race, Hannah Moore is continuing her return to paratriathlon after not competing for almost two years. In her first two races back, she was on the top spot of the podium at 2023 World Triathlon Para Cup A Coruna and finished third at 2023 Europe Triathlon Championship Madrid.
In the women’s PTS5 race there is medal potential as both Lauren Steadman and Claire Cashmore are in action. Reigning Paralympic champion Steadman has marked her return to the sport following a two-year absence with back to back silver medals at 2023 World Triathlon Para Cup Besancon and 2023 World Triathlon Para Series Montreal. Cashmore comes into the race in fine form having won three of her last four races, including victory in Swansea at last year’s event. The only time she wasn’t on the top spot in that period was at 2022 World Triathlon Championship Finals Abu Dhabi where she finished second.
In the men’s PTVI category, Dave Ellis guided by Luke Pollard and Oscar Kelly guided by Charlie Harding are in action. Ellis was on the top step of the podium last time out in A Coruna and was clear of the field in last year’s event in Swansea to take home gold. Kelly comes into the race off the back of a season best finish as he took second place at 2023 World Triathlon Para Series Montreal last weekend.
