For details on paratriathlon and the different classifications read Paratriathlon: the ultimate guide
FAYE MCCLELLAND
Category PT4
Age 36
Lives Eastbourne
Career Highlights
4 x World PT4 Champion
3 x European PT4 Champion
2016 SEASON TO DATE
1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Besançon
2nd, European Championships
FAYE’S STRENGTH
Her incredible focus under pressure.
FAYE’S WEAKNESS
Her swim – she usually has to play catch-up as the race proceeds.
FAYE’S MAIN RIVALS
Her teammate Steadman and Grace Norman (USA, p119). Since May ’14, McClelland has been 2nd, or lower, to Steadman’s first in nine out of nine races.
OUR PREDICTION
We’d be surprised if she didn’t medal – bronze for McClelland.
ALISON PATRICK
Category PT5
Age 28
Lives Dunfermline, SCOTLAND
Career Highlights
1st, Rio Test Event, 2015
2 x European PT5 Champion
2014 World PT5 Champion
2016 SEASON TO DATE
European PT5 Champion
1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Buffalo City
ALISON’S STRENGTH
Intuitive team work with her guide plus her run strength.
ALISON’S WEAKNESS
She lost time to the Aussie pairing (Kelly and Jones) during the swim at the 2015 ITU Worlds.
ALISON’S MAIN RIVALS
Australia’s Katie Kelly – she’s only raced her once (2015 Worlds), and took silver.
OUR PREDICTION
If the swim goes well, we predict gold.
MELISSA REID
Category PT5
Age 25
Lives Truro
Career Highlights
4 x World PT5 Aquathlon Champion
2013 World PT5 Champion
2013 European PT5 Champion
2016 SEASON TO DATE
2nd, European Championships
1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Aguilas
3rd, ITU World Paratriathlon, Buffalo City
MELISSA’S STRENGTH
Her swim – living in Cornwall, Melissa does a lot of sea swimming.
MELISSA’S WEAKNESS
Her run speed.
MELISSA’S MAIN RIVALS
Her teammate Patrick, who she hasn’t beaten since May 2014, Australia’s Kelly and Spain’s Susana Rodriguez.
OUR PREDICTION
There are stronger women – fourth.
CLAIRE CUNNINGHAM
Category PT4
Age 39
Lives Cambridge
Career highlights
16 x ITU podiums
2009 World PT4 Champion
2009 European PT4 Champion
2016 Season to date
4th, European Champs
2nd, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Penrith
Claire's strength
Swim – she’s a Paralympic gold medal winner in the pool.
Claire's weakness
The bike.
Claire's main rivals
Her teammates Lauren Steadman and Faye McClelland, plus the USA’s Grace Norman.
Our prediction
4th.
LAUREN STEADMAN
Category PT4
Age 23
Lives Portsmouth
Career Highlights
2 x World PT4 Champion
4 x European PT4 Champion
1st, Rio Test Event, 2015
13 consecutive race wins (as of July ’16)
2 x Paralympian (Beijing and London), swimming
2016 Season to date
1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Strathclyde
European PT4 Champion
1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Buffalo City
LAUREN’S STRENGTH
Unquestionably her swim, plus the confidence that she hasn’t been beaten since May 2014 (she came second).
LAUREN’S WEAKNESS
Her run – there are faster runners in her category.
LAUREN’S MAIN RIVALS
Her closest rival, certainly on the run, is Grace Norman from the USA. But Lauren often wins races by more
than a minute.
OUR PREDICTION
The only way Steadman will fly back home from Rio without a gold medal is if she loses it en route to the airport.
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