Daniel Highlights Paratri, Jones Tops Canadian Rio Reconnaissance
Calgary’s Stefan Daniel highlighted the Canadian efforts in Rio de Janeiro at the Olympic and Paralympic test event thanks to his silver medal in the PT4 classification. Kyle Jones and Kirsten Sweetland led the Canadian contingent at today’s Olympic test event, finishing 18th and 22nd respectively.
From Chris Dornan, Triathlon Canada
Daniel ran his way to silver, finishing behind Martin Schulz (GER) and ahead of France’s Yannick Bourseaux.
“I’ll try to make the Paralympic team next year, and it’s exciting, it’s a cool city, fast course,” Daniel, 18, said of paratriathlon’s debut at the Paralympics in 2016. “I’ll be excited to compete. I was happy with my swim. I gave all I could on the bike and tried to minimize the gap between myself and the competitors ahead. The run was extremely tough, and I just did my best to get through it.”
In the women’s PT4 event Winnipeg’s Chantal Givens finished just off the podium in fourth, while Ottawa’s Christine Robbins finished fifth in the women’s PT5 classification.
Jones finishes 18th
Kyle Jones, of Oakville, Ont., led the Canadian men with an 18th-place finish. Jones (1:50:28) finished just a few spots ahead of countryman Andrew Yorke (1:50:50). Tyler Mislawchuk, of Oak Bluff, Man., placed 34th at 1:51:53.
Javier Gomez earned Spain a spot on the Olympic start list after winning the men’s race with a time of 1:48:36. Vincent Luis, of France, was second at 1:48:40, while South Africa’s Richard Murray held on for the bronze medal with a time of 1:49:01. Defending Olympic champ Alistair Brownlee faded during the run to finish 10th.
Sweetland’s Comeback
After dealing with health issues for much of the year, Victoria’s Kirsten Sweetland, 26, was a force on the swim and bike before dropping back into the field in the 10-kilometre run. Sweetland clocked-in at 2:02:56.
“It was really important for me to have a good swim and assess the bike course to see how hard it is,” said Sweetland. “I felt really good and strong, which will boost my confidence and help me in the future. I am running better, but I think when my running legs are back things will be good.”
Gwen Jorgensen continued to confirm she is the one to beat in the Olympic women’s race in one year’s time. The American hammered the field again to post a winning time of 1:58:46. Non Stanford, of Great Britain, was second at 1:59:06, while Vicky Holland, also of Great Britain, placed third at 1:59:27.
Sarah-Anne Brault, of Quebec City, placed 41st (2:06:29), while Edmonton’s Paula Findlay was 43rd (2:06:54).
Women’s recap
Top-Five Women’s Results:
1. Gwen Jorgensen, USA, 1:58:46; 2. Non Stanford, GBR, 1:59:06; 3. Vicky Holland, GBR, 1:59:27; 4. Sarah True, USA, 1:59:46; 5. Barbara Riveros, CHI, 2:00:08
Canadian Results:
22. Kirsten Sweetland, Victoria, 2:02:56; 41. Sarah-Anne Brault, Quebec City, 2:06:29; 43. Paula Findlay, Edmonton, 2:06:54.
Top-Five Men’s Results:
1. Javier Gomez, ESP, 1:48:36; 2. Vincent Luis, FRA, 1:48:40; 3. Richard Murray, RSA, 1:49:01; 4. David Hauss, FRA, 1:49:32; 5. Dmitry Polyanskiy, RUS, 1:49:32
Canadian Results:
18. Kyle Jones, Oakville, Ont., 1:50:38; 20. Andrew Yorke, Caledon, Ont., 1:50:50; 34. Tyler Mislawchuk, Oak Bluff, Man., 1:51:53
