SWANSEA, Wales.—Canada’s Para triathlon squad is positioning themselves as a triple-medal threat on the pathway to Paris 2024 after taking home a complete set of medals on Saturday at the World Triathlon Para Series in Swansea, Wales.
Winnipeg’s Leanne Taylor celebrated her first victory in elite level racing, while Kamylle Frenette (Dieppe, N.B.) was second and Stefan Daniel (Calgary) battled to a bronze medal.
“It was a solid performance all-around today, and a great opportunity for the entire team to race on a challenging course that will be similar to Paris,” said Carolyn Murray, head coach of the Para triathlon team.
The 31-year-old Taylor captured her fourth ever podium finish in the women’s wheelchair race category on the World Triathlon Para Series. Taylor was steady throughout the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and five-kilometre run course. She completed the triple-discipline test in a time of 1:12:21.
“I had a great race out there today and to get my first WPS win is very exciting. It couldn’t have come at a better time than building towards the Games. I hope we get another one next week in Montreal,” beamed Taylor.
Taylor, who began Para triathlon in 2019 one year after a she was left paralyzed from the waist down following a mountain bike accident, was joined on the podium with Kendall Gretsch (United States) who was in second spot at 1:13:36, along with Melissa Nicholls, of Great Britain, in third (1:15:08).
Kamylle Frenette is also rounding into top form with the Paralympic Games on the horizon, winning her second-straight silver medal on the Para Series. The 27-year-old was second across the line at 1:11:25 for the sixth World Triathlon Para Series podium of her career that also includes a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships.
Claire Cashmore (Great Britain) thrilled the hometown crowd by taking top spot in the women’s PTS5 standing classification with a time of 1:09:33. Poland’s Monika Belczewska locked up the bronze with a time of 1:14:10.
Two-time Paralympic medallist, Stefan Daniel, battled hard in a deep men’s standing classification field.
Continuing to train his way into elite form, the 27-year-old lined up against the world’s heavyweights in the classification where he ran to the final spot on the podium.
Daniel clocked a third-place time of 59:44 in in the hard-fought battle.
Brazil’s Ronan Cordeiro was first at 59:18, while two-time Paralympic champion – Martin Schulz of Germany – finished 10 seconds back of the leading pace at 59:28.
Complete World Triathlon Para Series Results
The World Triathlon Para Series now travels to Montreal where Triathlon Canada will host the final Paralympic qualification race, June 29.
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