Daniel takes gold at World Triathlon Para Cup A Corona; Frenette gets bronze

Calgary’s Stefan Daniel returned to the top of the podium as he defended his title in A Corona, Spain, despite going off track in the swim and having to serve a penalty on the run. Daniel was thrilled to return to his winning form in the men’s standing division after having spent much of the winter dealing with an injury

“I was so excited to be back on the top of a podium again,” said Daniel after the race. “I’ve had a really tough test the past nine months and this is the first time I’ve felt close to my old self so it was a really special feeling crossing the finish line with that result today.”

Related: Daniel helps Dinos defend national title despite stress fracture

“I went off track in the water and lost quite a lot of time because of it,” Daniel continued. “Once I got to transition, I was able to refocus and ride as hard as I could. I had the best ride of my career which I’m very proud of. I had a penalty on the run, but I ran decent regardless.”

Daniel got to the line in 1:00:37, with Portugal’s Filipe Marques taking second 55 seconds later in  1:01:32. Australia’s Jack Howell rounded out the podium in 1:02:21.

Frenette takes second-straight bronze

Dieppe, N.B.’s Kamylle Frenette spent much of the COVID pandemic delivering COVID vaccinations while completing her pharmacy degree at the University of Moncton and training for the Paralympics – she finished fourth in Tokyo last August. On the weekend she took her second bronze medal in as many weeks in the women’s standing division at A Coruna.

Related: Paralympic contender Kamylle Frenet “never thought of her club foot as being a handicap”

“After way too many hours spent in the books, I’m very happy to be heading back home with two bronze medals in my suitcase,” Frenette said after the race. “My goal today was to stay in control and follow my race plan, and I did exactly that. These last two weeks have been a great foundation to the 2022 season and I’m excited to keep building up from here.”

Frenette (1:11:49) finished behind American Grace Norman (1:06:21) and Great Britain’s Claire Cashmore (1:08:11).

Wheelchair classification race pulled off the course

Winnipeg athlete Leanne Taylor was leading during swim in the women’s wheelchair division when the athletes were called off the race course due to a storm.

Daniel, Frenette and Taylor will all be competing this weekend at the World Triathlon Para Series Montreal.