Saturday in Montreal, Canada, will see the world’s Para triathletes tackling the now-familiar Parc Jean-Drapeau F1 course for the final time in this Paralympic cycle.
The last blue carpet action of a year-long Qualification Period comes two months before focuses switch firmly to the challenge of a huge Paris 2024 medal hunt on 1-2 September on the streets of the French capital.
As a reminder, on 1 July, the top nine in the rankings for each class will qualify in all but the women’s PTS3 (five, classing up to race with the PTS4 athletes) and up to a maximum of two per nation. A further 16 places will then be awarded through Bipartite Commission Invitations.
Montreal will see a 750m swim, fast and flat 20km bike / handcycle and then a 5km run / racing wheelchair ahead that will decide those final rankings. It’s a 7.55am start local time. The weather could be challenging with rain in the forecast. Race very much on.
Stefan Daniel hoping to set up Paris charge
The men’s PTS5 will get the action underway, favourite Stefan Daniel currently sitting pretty in the number one spot and as the sole Canadian in the men’s field he will be eager to finally get hold of a Paralympic gold after silver in Rio and bronze in Tokyo.
The battle for Montreal gold could be a gripping one against Chris Hammer, but further down the start list, the likes of Turkey’s Ugurcan Ozer, Antoine Besse of France and Ireland’s Tom Williamson know a medal here would all but guarantee their Paris place and even 16th-ranked Japan’s Keiichi Sato could launch himself into contention.
Next into the lake will be the PTVI men and women, and another Frenchman, Thibaut Rigaudeau B3 will face off against Sam Harding B3 (AUS) and USA’s Kyle Coon B1. The American lies in 8th at the moment, Japan’s Satoru Yoneoka B1 in 9th but just eight points ahead of Spaniard Jose Luis Garcia Serrano B1. It’s tight, but the Paris door remains open for a big performance from Poland’s Lukasz Wietecki B3 or even Italian Manuel Lama B3 in 14th.
Rodrigues chasing pre-Paris form
Since finishing 5th at Rio 2016, the PTVI queen for the past two Paralympic cycles has been Spain’s Susana Rodriguez B1, and she will use the race as another opportunity to work on finessing her partnership with new guide Sara Perez Sala after crashing out in the Vigo Para Cup at the start of June.
Italy’s reigning World Champion Francesca Tarantello B3 has established herself as a huge threat in the race for Paralympic gold, Ireland’s Chloe MacCombe B3 arrives off the back of a first Series win in Swansea. Brazil’s Leticia Freitas B1 currently stands in 10th in the rankings just seven points off a top 9 place, Australain Maggie Sandles B3 a further 14 points back in 11th.
The wheelchair athletes get underway at 8.55am, USA’s Howie Sanborn H1 leading the line, Japan’s Jumpei Kimura H1 and Tunisia’s Fathi Zwoukhi H1 currently in 8th and 9th and should secure their Paris slots, Ahmed Andaloussi H1 hoping to join Louis Noel H2 and secure France two berths on 2 September.
In the women’s race, USA’s reigning Paralympic Champion Kendall Gretsch H2 will have her last hit out prior to defending that title, compatriots Emelia Perry H1 (currently in 9th) and Skyler Fisher H2 (1th) vying to become the second PTWC American woman.
Opportunity knocks for Gral
The women’s PTS5 race sees Kamylle Frenette go out as favourite for gold on home soil, Emilie Gral of France hoping to follow her 4th in Swansea a week ago with a Series medal that would propel her from 10th in the ranking into the sanctuary of the top 9.
In the women’s PTS2 race, it is the familiar faces of USA trio Hailey Danz, Melissa Stockwell and Allysa Seely hoping to take qualification out of the uncertainty of an invitational place, just 15 points separating the latter duo after Tokyo 2020 champion Seely’s win in Swansea.
Mohamed Lahna and Mark Barr of the USA have Paris 2024 starts secured and will want to take positive results away from their final pre-Paralympic race, and a slot looks a safe bet for Geoffrey Wersy of France, currently ranked 9th, but he can expect the pressure to be ramped up by Gianluca Valori (ITA) and Glen Jarvis (AUS) in 10th and 11th.
Spanish duo in PTS3 battle for Paris
In the men’s PTS3, Kini Carrasco and compatriot Diego Lardon Ferrer will vie for the chance to join Daniel Molina in Paris for Spain, Korean Hwang Tae Kim’s berth on 1 September looks safe, Netherland’s Flip Breuer remains a Paralympic contender. The women’s PTS3 is a straight shootout for gold between Mexico’s Kenia Yesenia Villalobos Vargas and USA’s Rachel Watts.
The women’s PTS4 sees American Kelly Elmlinger look to continue her 100% record since silver at the 2022 World Championships, while Emma Meyers, second here last year, will look to continue her remarkable ascent in the sport and take good form to her Paralympic debut. Australian Sally Pilbeam and Germany’s Elke Van Engelen are ready to make a contest of the action.
Finally, the ever-impressive Alexis Hanquinquant will go out for France, favourite for the Paralympic title but taking nothing for granted in his preparations for a huge home Games. USA’s Carson Clough will also be a major medal contender on 1 September, GB’s Finley Jakes will hope to join them with a big result though Hideki Uda (JPN) and Jorge Luis Fonseca (BRA) are also ready to pounce on the safety of the top 9.
For full start lists click here.
