Brits Claire Cashmore and Dave Ellis put in incredible performances under the heat of the Abu Dhabi sun to become world champions in each of their classifications.
Cashmore, who won bronze in Tokyo this summer and was defending her crown, said: “It feels pretty good to have retained my title. I’ve held on to the title for the longest without having to race in 2020 so to be World Champion again in 2021 is pretty awesome.
“It’s been a bit of whirlwind of a year so just the perfect way to finish it off. I knew I had it in me, but I suppose I didn’t have as much coming in after Tokyo. I didn’t feel quite as on it but actually out there I felt amazing. I just felt like everything clicked into place.
Cashmore put in a strong display across all three disciplines to defend her women’s PTSS5 world championship title, coming out of the swim in second place before nailing her first transition to come out onto the bike in the lead. She then held strong on the run and took the tape with her arms aloft and a huge smile plastered across her face.
Ellis and Pollard make up for lost time
Ellis and guide Luke Pollard also came out on top in their classification, putting the disappointment of a mechanical DNF in Tokyo behind them and going one better than Ellis’ result at the last championships in 2019.
It was the bike leg where the pair really excelled, catching the race leader and then extending their lead. Eventually, they crossed the finish line in 00:55.08 and secured their first world championship gold together as a pair.
“It feels awesome to be World Champion again and it’s Luke’s first time as a World Champion guide,” Ellis said. “It was a really good race and a great day which we really enjoyed. It’s great to be back on top again.”
Peasgood and Brown come good
Alison Peasgood and guide Brooke Gillies also medalled, taking bronze in the women’s PTVI classification. It meant a positive end to a tricky year for Peasgood, who finished fourth in Tokyo and was caught up in a crash at the European Championships.
Britain’s final paratri medal of the day came from Fran Brown, who claimed silver in the women’s PTS2 championship with a time of 01:18:17. The result caps off a fine couple of months for the Londoner who also won gold at the European Championship in Valencia in September.
After the race, Brown said: “It was really good out there today. I had a really good swim and led out of the swim, which I don’t think I have done before. That was probably my best swim yet… To come second is good to cap off the season.”
The World Triathlon Para Championships in Abu Dhabi featured a 750m swim in the Yas Island Marina followed by a 20km cycle on the iconic racing circuit, before a 5km run brought the athletes to the finish.
Top image credit: World Triathlon/Wagner Araujo
