With the LA28 Paralympic Qualification process confirmed this week, attentions turn to the Canadian city of Montreal for stop three of the 2026 Para Series, and men’s and women’s racing across six categories.
Once again it is the beautiful Parc Jean Drapeau course that welcomes the athletes, and a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run to decide the 2026 medallists.
PTWC
The men’s wheelchair start list sees last year’s silver and bronze medallists Josh Landmann (GBR) and USA’s Howie Sanborn face off once more against Italy’s experienced Giovanni Achenza and Frenchman Julien Viot.
In the absence of Australia’s Paris 2024 Paralympic Champion Lauren Parker, four great rivals will battle it out for the medals in the form of Brazil’s Jessica Ferreira, USA duo Emilia Perry and Tokyo 2020 champion Kendall Gretsch and Canada’s own Leanne Taylor, looking to go one better than her silver here in 2024.
PTS2
The men’s PTS2 race sees last year’s winner, Belgian Wim De Paepe, face off once again against the American Mark Barr and Kyle Stepp, Asian Champion Kenshiro Nakayama (JPN) and Mexico’s Diego Lares Garcia looking to establish themselves as names to watch. Japan’s Asumi Yasuda is the sole female PTS2 athlete racing.
PTS3
The French pair of Cedric Denuziere and Geoffrey Wersy could be the ones to beat in the men’s PTS3 category, young American Lucas Jundt making his first Series start after winning the continental title a year ago in Calima. Fourth in Yokohama, Greece’s Stylianos Malakopoulos and the USA’s 2025 bronze medallist here Zachary Osborne will also be ones to watch.
Another rising continental champion from the USA, Hannah Longmire, will hope to go one step higher than her silver last year, Israel’s Atalia Nevo the woman to beat after scoring her first Series podium in Yokohama last month.
PTS4
The USA’s Carson Clough, Hideki Uda (JPN) and Michael Taylor (GBR) will be among the names hoping to stop a French sweep of the men’s PTS4 race. It’s a strong line up for France headed by the indomitable Alexis Hanquinquant, unbeaten since 2019, alongside last year’s winner here Pierre-Antoine Baele.
The women’s race will be a straight battle for the podium places between Emma Meyers and Danielle Cummings of the USA and the Frenchwoman Zoe Reveillon (FRA), the Euopean Championships silver medallist making her WTPS debut this weekend.
PTS5
World Champion Chris Hammer (USA) will lead the PTS5 line, the experienced figure facing a tough battle against the man who beat him to silver last year, Tom Williamson of Ireland. With no local favourite Stefan Daniel lining up, Kenya’s Oscar Dennis and the young Brit Oliver Scott will be aiming high along with Cypriot Andreas Doulappas.
The USA’s Grace Norman once again tops the women’s PTS5 field, with France’s Gwladys Lemoussu, American Michelle Dynes and Brazil’s Erica Da Rosa Rodrigues also on the start line. Norman will be eager to continue her dominance of the category in recent years, and looked in fine form once again on route to gold in Yokohama in May.
PTVI
The men’s PTVI race looks like another cracker, even in the absence of some big names like Dave Ellis. France’s Thibaut Rigaudeau and Britain’s Oscar Kelly are sure to be among the favourites, USA’s Owen Cravens likewise as he hopes to build towards a big World Championship push in Pontevedra this September.
The stars are out in force in the women’s visually impaired race as Paralympic and World Champion Susana Rodriguez of Spain goes up against Brazil’s Leticia Freitas and Germany’s Anja Renner. France’s Heloise Courvoisier finished just off the podium last year, while the USA’s McClain Hermes will want to continue her meteoric rise in the sport and measure herself against the best in the world.
Full start lists available here.
Extended highlights will be available on TriathlonLive.tv