NEWS

Paratriathletes Race London

By World Triathlon Admin | 15 Aug, 2009

With 42 of the world’s best triathletes taking to the water of the Serpentine and competing in the London 2012 Olympic Games venue of Hyde Park, Paratriathlon took a step forward to achieving its ambition of becoming a sport within the Paralympic Games.

Seven countries were represented with athletes flying in to race against a strong Great Britain squad from as far away as the United States of America and Canada. France, Germany, Austria and Spain were also represented. Racing over the super sprint distance action was fast and furious.

In the men’s TRI1 category for athletes using a handcycle for the bike and a racing wheelchair for the run Oscar Sanchez from the USA came out victorious ahead of David Cooke from Great Britain an Rafael Iopez Ordonez from Spain in a truly multi-national podium. Karen Dawke from Great Britain won the women’s race ahead of Tricia Downing from the USA.

America’s Matt Perkins headed home Grant Darby from Canada in the men’s TRI2 class for athletes with severe leg impairments whilst Sarah Rheinstein won the women’s TRI2 category ahead of Scout Bassett in an all USA podium.

It was an all-male competition in the TRI3 for athletes with Les Autres with a Brit on the top step as James Smith crossed the line barely a minute ahead of Sebastian Averesch from Germany. Jeremy Baird from Canada completed the podium, just 50 seconds behind the German.

The women’s TRI4 race for athletes with an arm impairment saw an all Brit podium with Faye McClelland and Clare Cunningham taking the top two positions. Yannick Bourseaux from France took gold in the men’s TRI4 to deny Tom Perkins from Great Britain and Juan Antonio Rodriguez the top honours.

There was further success for France in TRI5 for athletes with moderate leg impairment with Yan Guanter coming out on top ahead of the American pairing of JP Theberge and Paul Martin. Austria’s Martin Faulch was fourth.

TRI6 men was won by Aaraon Scheides from the USA with Hasee Ahmad and Iain Dawson keeping the home crowd happy with silver and bronze. Sara Butler from the hosts won the women’s race with Ivonne Mosquera from the USA taking silver.

Click here for results by gender

Click here for results by classification