Great Britain’s paratriathletes produced strong performances to win two gold, four silver and a bronze medal in the final World Paratriathlon Series (WPS) race of the season in Edmonton, Canada. Gold medals came from Iraq veteran, Steve Crowley, and former England Cerebral Palsy footballer, Ryan Taylor.
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In his first WPS event, Steve Crowley, led from gun to tape to win gold in the men’s PTS4 category. Crowley commented: “It feels great to have taken part in my first World Series race and, more importantly, to have secured the win. Hopefully the points will help to secure an automatic start for the World Championships later this year.”
It was also gold for Rio Paralympian, Ryan Taylor, now competing in the PTS3 category. After a period of illness a couple of months ago, Taylor was delighted to take the victory in Edmonton: “I had one of my best swims in a triathlon and pushed hard on the bike on a tough course. I had a controlled run and so I’m very happy to take the gold medal.”
In the women’s PTS5, Paralympic silver medallist, Lauren Steadman, took silver behind Paralympic champion, Grace Norman from the USA. Four women exited T1 together, including Steadman and Rio Paralympic champion swimmer, Claire Cashmore. Steadman entered the transition from bike to run in the lead before the fast running Norman pulled away.
Cashmore fought hard on the run to finish fourth, just 12secs behind bronze in her first WPS event after taking up paratriathlon earlier this year.
There were also silver medals for Rio Paralympians, George Peasgood (PTS5) and Joe Townsend (PTWC), who both finished behind the Paralympic silver medallists in their respective categories.
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Dave Ellis and his guide, Jack Peasgood won Great Britain’s fourth silver medal in the PTVI category. Despite a strong swim, Ellis and Peasgood were unable to match the bike power of American, Aaron Scheidies, who is unbeaten in ITU competition since Ellis won the World Championships in 2013.
Also making her WPS debut for Great Britain, Fran Brown took the bronze medal in the women’s PTS2 category.
ITU Edmonton World Paratriathlon; Friday 28 July 2017; 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run:
GOLD (2)
Steve Crowley, PTS4
Ryan Taylor, PTS3
SILVER (4)
Lauren Steadman, PTS5
George Peasgood, PTS5
Joe Townsend, PTWC
Dave Ellis, PTVI (guide Jack Peasgood)
BRONZE (1)
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Fran Brown, PTS2