The Great Britain Paratriathlon Team won two gold medals in an eight-medal haul at the 2014 World Championships.
The two golds were claimed by Lauren Steadman and Alison Patrick, with both women edging out their compatriots to claim the title.
Steadman, who moved to triathlon from a swimming background, showed her strength in the water to establish a lead that the rest of the field would be unable to overturn.
Four-time world champion, Faye McClelland, tried her best to defend her crown, however, was unable to catch the then 21-year-old who had already beaten her in the European Championships earlier in 2014.
Completing the podium was a third British athlete in the shape of Claire Cunningham. This was the second year in a row that Cunningham had completed an all British podium, however in 2013, it was McClelland who took first ahead of Steadman.
Above: It was an all British podium in the PT4 race
After crossing the line to the world title to her European one, Steadman said: ““I stayed relaxed and tried to enjoy the race. Crossing the line was purely fantastic. Faye is one tough cookie, she made it tough.”
Britain’s second gold medal was won by Alison Patrick (now Peasgood) and her guide, Jenny Manners.
Patrick, a former international runner who hadn’t been racing in triathlon 12 months before, battled it out with two former world champions on her way to victory. One of these was Patrick’s teammate and defending world champion Melissa Reid, and the other, the 2012 champion Susana Rodriguez of Spain.
In what was a tight battle between the two Brits, Manners had to confirm to Patrick that they were taking first place and the world championship.
“Even going into the finish straight we didn’t know we were first,” Patrick said. “I only knew because Jenny said ‘Alison, it’s the tape!’”
Despite not being able to defend her title, Reid was very happy to take silver in a very competitive race: “I think it’s good, it means everyone is getting better and stronger.”
Above: Patrick came first, with Melissa Reid in second
Three-time world champion and four-time European champion, Jane Egan, added a silver medal to her impressive record as American Kendall Gretsch took gold.
In what was a dominant performance, Gretsch won by over five minutes, with Egan finishing six minutes ahead of third place.
After the race, the Brit said: “It was good. I’m happy with what I got out of it.”
In the parallel men’s race, Phil Hogg also took silver for Great Britain in Canada saying:
Above: Phil Hogg claims the silver medal
“I’m absolutely stoked and so pleased. I’ve struggled with illness all though the winter. I had five months off, and I was in hospital three times. My aim was bronze, so I’ve ticked that box and gone above it.”
Also competing in the race was Joe Townsend, who narrowly missed out on a podium place as he finished fourth.
Sarah Pearson won Britain’s sole bronze medal at the championships, celebrating her birthday with a podium finish in what would be her penultimate international race for the team.
Britain were also represented at the Edmonton World Championships by Russell White, David Hill, Dave Ellis and Chris Goodwin, all of whom secured top ten positions for the team.
British Paratriathlon Performance Manager, Jonathon Riall, said: “There were some standout performances; particularly Alison Patrick coming through. So it was a positive day all round with some tough competition.”
He added: “Great Britain won more medals than any other country, but the gold medals were hard fought. Congratulations to the USA on winning three.
“We’ve exceeded our targets, which was to win one of the Paralympic medal categories and to win two other medals within those categories.”
The 2014 Paratriathlon World Championships took place at the ITU Grand Final in Edmonton, and the remainder of the event, including the conclusion to the 2014 World Triathlon Series will be covered in a future Swim, Bike and Rerun.
