By Megan Mindel | For the IPC
The top athletes from the Americas and African regions took on courses in their respective Championships over the weekend (12-13 March), with Rio 2016 qualifications points on the line. Para-triathletes have until 30 June to attain performances recorded on the International Triathlon Union (ITU) male and female Paralympic qualification lists.
Sarasota CAMTRI Para-Triathlon American Championships
The USA had a very strong showing at the CAMTRI Para-Triathlon American Championships held Sunday (13 March) in Sarasota, Florida, winning nine out of 10 races.
The USA’s Krige Schabort (56:19) and Kendall Gretsch (1:08:13) took the top spots in the men’s and women’s PT1 races, respectively. Schabort is ranked No. 2 in the ITU Paralympic qualification list, followed by Brazil’s Fernando Aranha (1:03:49), who came in second behind Schabort. The USA’s Mary Catherine Callahan (1:20:23) finished runner-up for the women’s PT1.
The USA’s Mark Barr (1:07:55), who leads the Paralympic qualification rankings in the men’s PT2, received his first win of the 2016 season. Barr finished ahead of teammate Brian Norberg (1:13:27), whose performance moved him to third on the qualification list, followed by Brazil’s Andre Barbieri (1:13:45).
The USA’s reigning world champion Allysa Seely also got her first win in 2016 with a time of 1:17:28 in the women’s PT2. Teammate Melissa Stockwell finished second (1:18:36), followed by teammate Sarah Reinersten (1:20:43). Runner-up at the 2015 World Championships Hailey Danisewicz finished fourth (1:21:05).
Jorge Luis Fonseca (1:05:44) defeated fellow Brazilians Leonardo Curvelo (1:07:37) and Edson Dantas (1:09:34) in the men’s PT3 race.
In the women’s PT3 race, the USA’s Andrea Walton (1:36:43) beat Brazilian Adriele Da Silva (1:43:22).
Three minutes separated the first and second place finishers in the men and women’s PT4 races. The USA’s Chris Hammer (55:52) finished ahead of Mexico’s Jose Abraham Estra Sierra (58:00) for the men’s win, and Brazil’s Carlos Raf Viana took third in 59:37. The USA’s Grace Norman (1:06:39) beat Canada’s Chantel Givens (1:09:38), followed by the USA’s Ruth Ann-Reeves (1:12:46).
Aaron Schiedies (58:33) easily took the win in the men’s PT5 race over fellow USA racer Brandon Adame (1:20:34).
The USA’s Elizabeth Baker (1:05:48) won the women’s PT5 race. She beat out compatriot Amy Dixon (1:06:27), as well as Canadian Christine Robbins (1:12:39).
For complete results from the Sarasota CAMTRI Para-Triathlon American Championships, visit the event website.
Bioemfontein ATU Para-Triathlon African Championships
The African Championship in Maselspoort, Bloemfontein, South Africa, featured competitors from South Africa, Morocco, Hungary and the Netherlands. Only athletes from Africa earned points toward Rio 2016 qualification.
Anton Swanepoel, the 2015 South African national champion, took the men’s PT1 with a time of 1:20:44, while Morocco’s Mohamed Lahna (1:20:11) triumphed in the men’s PT2 and sits second in the qualification list.
In the men’s PT3, Dylan Da Silva (1:24:43) defeated South African teammate Barend Van Der Walt (1:38:23). South African’s Stan Andrews (1:18:18) finished ahead of teammate Nicholas Newman (1:31:13) in the men’s PT4 race.
South Africa’s David Jones took the men’s PT5 race in 1:31:30.
In the women’s races, Saskia Van Den Ouden (1:42:38) of the Netherlands took the PT3. Hungary’s Petra Levay (1:33:58) was triumphant in the PT5.
Complete results can be found here.