Paratriathletes in Paris this morning woke to the news that their races were to be competed over a duathlon format. A 2.5km run would be replacing the 750m swim as organisers were playing it safe after discrepancies were found between water-quality tests.
The first run would precede a (slightly shorter than scheduled) 18.5km bike and a final 5km run.
Multiple Paralympic swim medallist Claire Cashmore (GB) was unsurprisingly disappointed with the news, but still raced to a silver medal – and despite a 10sec penalty for crossing the dismount line out of transition – behind the USA's Grace Norman in the PTS5 category.
"I'm happy and a bit frustrated [with the penalty]," Cashmore said post-race. "I got a bit confused with the laps, my fault, but hey this is why it's called a test event! It was pretty incredible out there. You don't get to enjoy the iconic monuments around you cause you're just in a lot of pain.
"I know I'm not in amazing run shape, so when it was announced it was a duathlon I was like 'okay, I've got two runs to do!', but you know, to still be able to come second… I don't really know what my times were like it just felt really hard."
Dave Ellis and guide Luke Pollard added another PTVI gold to an already packed trophy cabinet. The five-time world and five-time European champions were also disappointed not to be able to test the full Paralympic course, saying: "We managed to get in yesterday, but it would have been interesting to see how it unfolded in a race."
Luke added: "But that's a pretty special course, it's really quick, makes for some fast and exciting racing, going down the Champs[-Élysées] is pretty epic.
"I was tucking may head into his ass," joked Ellis, "so not much looking around for me!"
Also racing for GB in the PTVI category was Oscar Kelly and guide Charlie Harding, who were happy with their fourth place.
"We're not really suited to a duathlon," said Kelly, "but if we can do that well here then hopefully we can get a podium next year [if it's a triathlon]. Those cobbles were interesting, though."
"I'm glad I've got a comfy saddle on," chipped in Harding.
"Yeah, Charlie's going to have a massive bruise on his back from me head butting him!"
Full results from all the Paris Paratriathlon events can be found here.
Top image credit: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP via Getty Images
