MILESTONE FOR PARATRIATHLETES

And the Australians will be in the thick of the action for this inaugural World Paratriathlon event.

Joining the likes of Australia’s Commonwealth Games triathletes Emma Moffatt, Aaron Royle, Emma Jackson, Ryan Bailie and Dan Wilson will be seven of Australia’s best Paratriathletes who have set their sights on Rio de Janeiro when the sport debuts on the Paralympic stage for the first time in 2016.

Representing Australia in the inaugural World Paratriathlon event on Saturday will be Men’s PT1 - Nic Beveridge (QLD); Men’s PT2 - Glen Jarvis (VIC) and Brant Garvey (WA); Men’s PT4 - Justin Godfrey (VIC); Men’s PT5 - Jeremy McLure (VIC); Women’s PT3: Sally Pilbeam (WA) and Women’s PT4 - Claire McLean (WA). (See Classifications attached).

Jarvis and McLean are already Paralympians in their own right in swimming and cycling.

The Australian Paratriathlon Elite squad have been divided into two squads with a second Elite group, including the likes of four-time ITU World champion Bill Chaffey, Jonathan Goerlach and Jack Swift set to make their World Paratriathlon Event debuts in Chicago next month.

Triathlon Australia’s National Manager for Paratriathlon, Kathryn Periac said from Yokohama today that “it is just beginning to sink in” for the seven Australians who will race across six categories.

“This is big, this is exciting and they are (thrilled) to be part of it,” said Periac.

“Around 60 Paratriathletes will compete in the Yokohama World Paratriathlon Event, alongside the World Triathlon Series event.

“For the first time elite triathletes and Paratriathletes are showcased together, in this wonderful triathlon venue with all it's tradition.

“With Rio just two years away now the racing will be fierce.”

The Paratriathlon will kick start a busy weekend’s racing on Saturday morning at 7:55 (AEST) over the 750m (swim), 20km (bike) and 5km (run).

It will be followed by round three of the ITU WTS Elite women at 11am (AEST) with the Elite Men’s race set down for Saturday at 2pm (AEST) over the Standard Distance (1.5km swim), 40km (bike) and 10km (run).

PARATRIATHLON CLASSIFICATIONS:

PT1 - Wheelchair users. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to: muscle power, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis that prevent the ability to safely ride a conventional bike and run. Through classification assessment, athletes must have a score of up to 640,0 points. Athletes must use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment;

PT2 - Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement that through classification assessment have a score of up to 454,9 points. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

PT3 - Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement that through classification assessment have a score from 455,0 to 494,9 points. In both bike and run segments, the athlete may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

PT4 – Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement that through classification assessment have a score from 495,0 to 557,0 points included. In both bike and run segments, the athlete may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

PT5 - Total or Partial visual Impairment (IBSA/IPC defined sub-classes B1, B2, and B3): Includes athletes who are totally blind, from no light perception in either eye, to some light perception but unable to recognize the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction (B1) and partially sighted athletes with a visual acuity of less than 6/60 vision or visual field less than 20 degrees with best corrective vision (B2-B3). One guide is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment.

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