Dave Ellis was the sole British winner in the paratriathlon World Triathlon Championship Finals in Abu Dhabi this morning.
The reigning world and Commonwealth champion – ably supported by longstanding guide Luke Pollard – proved too swift for France’s Thibaut Rigaudeau and Antoine Perel in the visually impaired class over the sprint distance in Yas Marina.
But unlike 2021, where both Ellis and his partner Claire Cashmore (PTS5) were crowned world champions in Abu Dhabi, this time Cashmore had to settle for silver behind USA’s 2016 Paralympic champion Grace Norman.
Britain’s third medal from the 12 races – six male and six female categories – was landed by Alison Peasgood, also in the PTVI class.
Peasgood, who was fourth last year in Tokyo and did not finish in the Commonwealth Games this summer, took bronze behind Spain’s formidable Susana Rodriguez and Italy’s Francesca Tarantello.
With five other British paratriathletes racing, here’s a round-up of all the action…
What happened in the PTWC (wheelchair class) race?
The ever-dominant Jetze Plat put down the day’s fastest time across any of the para categories finishing in 57:57, more than 2mins clear of Austria’s Florian Brungraber and Dutch compatriot Geert Schipper. Plat was the fastest in all three disciplines.
In the women’s race there was another duel between Australia’s Lauren Parker and USA’s Kendall Gretsch. Unlike the Tokyo Paralympics where Gretsch caught her rival at the tape, this time Parker held on for the win with GB’s Melissa Nicholls finishing fifth.
What happened in the PTS2 race?
The women’s race was a US one-two, as Hailey Danz and Melissa Stockwell swam together at the front before Danz pulled away on the bike and held on for the win. Australia’s Anu Francis picked up bronze.
In the men’s race, Jules Ribstein of France topped the podium ahead of Spain’s Lionel Morales and Belgium’s Wim De Paepe. It was Ribstein’s fourth consecutive win of the year.
What happened in the PTS3 race?
Elise Marc gave France more to cheer about in the PTS3 category as she was a comfortable winner over Holland’s Sanna Koopman.
Daniel Molina of Spain won the men’s race, the 49-year-old rolling back the years to beat Holland’s Nico Van Der Burgt and Germany’s Max Gelhaar.
British national champion Colin Wallace from Aberdeen couldn’t quite make up the time he lost in the swim but still finished a credible fourth place.
What happened in the PTS4 race?
Another comprehensive victory for Paralympic champion Alexis Hanquinquant saw the Frenchman retain the title he won in Abu Dhabi last year and extend his unbeaten run to more than three years.
Hanquinquant’s countryman Pierre-Antoine Baele took silver with Australia’s Jeremy Peacock grabbing bronze. Britain’s Finlay Jakes improved two positions from last year’s worlds to finish seventh.
In the women’s race there was more Spanish success as Andrea Miguelez Ranz took gold and Marta Frances Gomez bronze, with USA’s Kelly Elmlinger splitting them on the podium.
What happened in the PTS5 race?
Canada’s Stefan Daniel became world champion in the competitive PTS5 class after a 16:03 5km split was enough to see off Germany’s two-time Paralympic champion Martin Schulz and USA’s reigning world champion Chris Hammer.
GB’s Michael Salisbury, who only took up the sport two years ago, was a commendable eighth.
In the women’s race, it was ultimately the run speed of Norman that paid dividends as she opened a gap over Cashmore on the final leg to reverse the standings from 12 months earlier. Canada’s Kamylle Frenette securing the bronze.
What happened in the PTV1 race?
Ellis and Pollard made it eight wins from eight starts in 2022 to retain the PTV1 world title. Rigaudeau and Perel completed the podium, the French pair having placed fourth and sixth respectively in the Tokyo Paralympics where the Brits had to abandon with a broken chain.
Oscar Kelly, aged 21 and guided by Charlie Harding, finished seventh.
In the women’s race, there was no stopping Spain’s reigning Paralympic champion Rodriguez, who completed another unbeaten season. Italian youngster Tarantello proved too fast for the experienced Peasgood, who had to settle for third, with Ireland’s Chloe Maccombe in fifth.
Top image credit: Wagner Araujo/World Triathlon
