Paralympic triathlon qualifying rounds up with a bang in Montreal

With two months to go before the Paralympic triathlon races in Paris, the final World Triathlon Para Series event took place in Montreal, serving as a last chance for some athletes to earn their spot for the Games this summer, and a chance to make a statement for the race in Paris for others.

We’ll have more coverage from today’s racing over the next few days, but here’s a quick wrap of the days action.

Hammer time (Yeah, we know. Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

After two fourth-place finishes at the Paralympics in Rio and Tokyo, to say that American Chris Hammer is motivated to make the podium in Paris is, well, as much of an understatement as our title for this section is lame. Hammer powered through the bike to get ahead of Canadian favourite Stefan Daniel and stay there through the finish line. Spain’s Jairo Luis Lopez rounded out the podium.

Wietecki punches his Paris ticket

Poland’s Lukasz Wietecki needed a podium finish to nail down a spot to the Paralympics this summer and, while the favourite, France’s Thibaut Rigaudeau was untouchable, the Pole was able to nail the silver medal. American Kyle Coon took the bronze by just eight seconds over Spain’s Jose Luis Garcia Serrano.

Rodrigues bounces back from horrible crash

The reigning Paralympic champion in the PTVI (visually impaired) category, Susana Rodriguez, had a horrible bike crash at the Vigo Para Cup earlier this month, so she and new partner Sara Perez Sala were both a little gun shy and also determined to get things back on track as they gear up for another gold-medal run in Paris. The two were impressive as they flew to a win by over 2:30 ahead of Italy’s Francesca Tarantella. The real excitement in the race came for the bronze medal as three women and their guides all ended up in the finishing chute together – just five seconds separated Ireland’s Chloe MacCombe, Brazil’s Leticia Freitas and Great Britain’s Alison Peasgood.

Gretsch holds off Taylor for wheelchair win

Tokyo champion Kendall Gretsch made a statement with a win heading into Paris, but she was kept honest by Canadian Leanne Taylor, who was over 90 seconds up after the swim before getting passed by the powerful American on the bike. Gretsch would finish the 5 km run five seconds faster than Taylor to take the win by just 13 seconds, which should set up an exciting race in Paris. Brazil’s Jessica Ferreira rounded out the podium.

In the men’s PTWC category it was Italy’s Giuseppe Romele who topped the podium ahead of American Howie Sunburn and France’s Louis Noel.

Seely tops Danz in PTS2

There was no touching two-time Paralympic gold medalist Allysa Seely as she powered her way to the win in this category ahead of two-time silver medalist Hailey Danz. The bronze medalist from the 2016 Games, Melissa Stockwell, would end up fourth today behind Italy’s Veronica Yoko Plebani.

American Mohamed Lahna took the men’s PTS2 category by 47 seconds over countryman Mark Barr, with France’s Geoffrey Wersy rounding out the podium.

Vargas and Urand top PTS3

Mexico’s Kenia Yesenia Villalobos Vargas took the women’s PTS3 category over American Rachel Watts, while Great Britain’s Henry Urand topped the men’s category over France’s Cedric Denuziere in the men’s division.

Elmlinger continues unbeaten streak

American Kelly Elmlinger hasn’t been beaten since her silver medal at the 2022 worlds in the PTS4 category, and that streak continued with a 70-second win over Great Britain’s Megan Richter, with France’s Camille Seneclauze pushing to the line just 19 seconds back of the silver medal.

France’s Alexis Hanquinquant dominated the men’s PTS4 division, winning by over two minutes ahead of countryman Gregoire Berthon, with American Carson Clough taking the bronze medal.