The 2023 World Triathlon Para Series returns this weekend in Montreal with four British athletes in action.
In the elite men’s races Finley Jakes competes in the PTS4 category fresh off his seventh-place finish at 2023 Europe Triathlon Championships Madrid.
Joining Jakes on the start line is France’s Alexis Hanquinquant, who won gold in Madrid and took the top spot on the podium at 2023 World Para Series Yokohama. Australia’s World Triathlon Para Series Devonport winner Jeremy Peacock, and American Carson Clough, who was runner up at both World Triathlon Para Series events this season, will also compete in the men’s PTS4 category
Michael Salisbury is the sole Brit in the elite men’s PTS5 category as he looks to build on his bronze medal at the European Championships back at the start of June.
Australian Jack Howell, who has been on the podium at the first two World Triathlon Para Series events of the year, Portugal’s Europe Triathlon Championship silver medallist, and Howell’s fellow countryman David Bryant are amongst the names looking to deny Salisbury back-to-back podiums.
The final Brit in the elite men’s races is Oscar Kelly (guided by Charlie Harding) who comes to Montreal after finishing ninth in Madrid in the PTVI category. America’s Owen Cravens and Australia’s Sam Harding, who won the World Triathlon Para Series events in Yokohama and Devonport respectively, join Kelly on the start line.
Defending Paralympic champion Lauren Steadman is back in action for just the second time since her success in Tokyo in 2021. She comes into Montreal after coming second in 2023 World Triathlon Para Cup Besancon.
Joining her on the start line is Rio gold medallist, American Grace Norman, who took top spot in Besancon. The pair will line up alongside 2023 World Triathlon Para Series Yokohama silver medallist Cristina Zambrano from Spain and Sweden’s Alisa Kolpakchy, who won silver at this year’s Europe Triathlon Championship Madrid.
Jakes, who came back from this race last year with a silver medal, said: “It’s a more competitive field this year, but I know the course plays to my strengths and going into it with the experience from last year is giving me confidence to feel more comfortable come race day.
“The last 1km straight of the run still feels surreal for me a year on as it felt like everything came together and I’ve never experienced moving up the field like that before. Prep going into Montreal has been trying to focus on replicating that run performance as best as possible.”
Images by KSport Media
