Paratriathletes prepare for world stage after National Championships
Triathlon Australia, March 30, 2015: The cream of Australia’s paratriathletes will start to prepare for the world stage after yesterday’s successful National Paratriathlon Championships at Redcliffe.
The stars of the recent ITU Paratriathlon Event on the Sunshine Coast were again out in force as the domestic season wound up before most athletes scheduled in a well deserved break before continuing with their ITU series aspirations leading into the ITU World Championships in Chicago in September.
Among the winners yesterday were:
- In the men - Four-time ITU World Champion Bill Chaffey, who again dominated the PT1 class from Nic Beveridge (QLD) and Nige Young (WA).
- London Paralympic runner Jack Swift, who was the stand out on the Sunshine Coast in the highly competitive PT4 group, and won again ahead of Dale Grant (VIC) and debutant Joshua Kassulke (QLD)
- WA’s Brant Garvey who continued on his consistent form to take out the PT2 category over Glen Jarvis (VIC) and newcomer Thomas Goodman (SA) with Jonathon Goerlach winning the vision-impaired PT5s;
- And in the women Emily Tapp (QLD) continued on her merry way, adding the Australian Championship to her ITU Paratriathlon title ahead of another first-timer Sara Tait (QLD).
- Debbie Wendt (QLD) won the PT3 category; Kate Doughty (VIC) beat Claire McLean (WA) in the PT4 and Katie Kelly (NT) continued to show her transition into the Paratriathlon world continues to be a successful beating Beth White (NSW) and Casey Hyde (VIC) in the vision impaired PT5 category.
Triathlon Australia’s National Manager Paratriathlon, Kathryn Perriac said: “For the elite athletes this was their last domestic race, and they will take a short break before preparing for international races in May (Yokohama, Madrid, London) and then later in August (Rio Test Event, Detroit) followed by the World Championships in Chicago on September 17th.
“Some of those who raced on Sunday will next join the Australian Age Group Team to race at the Chicago World Championships in the Open Paratriathlon event.
“Others such as Bennett Powell and Debbie Wendt are stepping up to 70.3 races in the next few months.
“These National Paratriathlon Championships provided another opportunity for paratriathletes of all abilities to race together, from multiple World Champion Bill Chaffey to first timers like Thomas Goodman and Joshua Kassulke, and teenagers Matthew Stark and Sara Tait.
“A huge thanks to Triathlon Queensland who staged a professional event at an accessible and picturesque location at Redcliffe and their support of Paratriathlon is greatly appreciated.
“Combining with the Queensland State Sprint Championships ensured there were plenty of people watching and cheering on the paratriathletes.”
AUSTRALIAN PARATRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS, Redcliffe:
PT1
1. Emily Tapp (QLD)
2. Sara Tait (QLD)
1. Bill Chaffey (QLD)
2. Nic Beveridge (QLD)
3. Nige Young (WA)
PT2
1. Brant Garvey (WA)
2. Glen Jarvis (VIC)
3. Thomas Goodman (SA)
No women
PT3
1. Debbie Wendt (QLD)
No men
PT4
1. Jack Swift (VIC)
2. Dale Grant (VIC)
3. Joshua Kassulke (QLD)
1. Kate Doughty (VIC)
2. Claire McLean (WA)
PT5
1. Katie Kelly (NT)
2. Beth White (NSW)
3. Casey Hyde (VIC)
- Jonathan Goerlach (ACT)
Issued on behalf of Triathlon Australia by
Ian Hanson| Media Manager Triathlon Australia
Media Manager, 2014 Australian Commonwealth Games Team
Deputy Media Manager 2016 Australian Olympic Team
Media Manager 2014 Pan Pacs
Ian Hanson| Media Manager Triathlon Australia Managing Director
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