British athletes dominated the podium in an enthralling day of action at 2024 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea.
Dave Ellis guided by Jack Hutchens, Claire Cashmore, and Hannah Moore all struck gold while there were silvers for Michael Taylor and Megan Richter and bronzes for Melissa Nicholls and Alison Peasgood guided by Brooke Gillies.
Ellis took the title in the men's PTVI event, where he produced a remarkable comeback to close a 28-second gap in the run to take the tape in the first elite race of the day, with fellow Brits Oscar Kelly guided by Charlie Harding and Rhys Jones guided by Malachi Cashmore fourth and tenth respectively.
“It feels pretty sweet,” Ellis said. “It was a tough one, because the course is quite different to what we normally do - quite technical, on and off the power.
“The American boys are really strong on the bike, but I was very confident that I could run and catch up to him as long as we weren't too far back.
“It was just focussing on maintaining the gap earlier. The run made the legs feel pretty rough, but I managed to get there in the end.”
In the women’s PTVI race, Rio 2016 silver medallist Peasgood secured bronze - a major boost for her hopes of qualifying for Paris 2024, with her podium spot providing her with a crucial third score for the rankings.
“It’s a relief to score,” she said. “Everyone else had got three scores and we'd only got two, so until you've done that third race, you can't even just relax. It’s a big weight off my mind.”
It was plainer sailing for five-time Paralympian Cashmore, as she stormed to victory in the women’s PTS5 event, crossing the line nearly two minutes before second place.
“At each little bit of the course there were different people cheering you on and that just made such a difference,” Cashmore said.
“Swansea really did put on a good show and the crowd were brilliant, so that really, really helped.”
The electric atmosphere was picked up on by a number of athletes, with those in British trisuits roared on by the spectators in South Wales, who had plenty to keep them occupied on the SA1 Waterfront, as the British Triathlon Paratri Super Series kicked things off, taking place ahead of the elite racing for developing paratriathletes.
Read more about the Paratri Super Series racing
The event also put sustainability at its heart - achieving Gold in World Triathlon’s Sustainability Certification - as fans came out in their droves to watch the best the sport has to offer, with the event village and Marina Market bustling with enthusiastic spectators.
The third British gold then came from Moore, who left it all on the line to came out on top in the female PTS4, with fellow countrywoman Richter following behind in second to join Moore on the podium.
Moore said: “I'm really happy, really excited to cross the finish line in first place with all my friends and family just screaming my name. It was so, so special and it made me very emotional.”
Michael Taylor also looked destined for glory and was the man to beat in the men’s PTS4 for much of the contest - but after a difficult transition out of the bike, he was forced to settle for an admirable second.
Compatriot Finley Jakes finished eighth ahead of a next week in Montreal, where he will be gunning for a big performance with eyes on Paralympic qualification.
In the PTWC event, Melissa Nicholls added to Britain’s medal collection for the day, focussing on process over power to take home bronze.
Circumstances were less rosy on the men’s side, with Bret Crossley suffering a crash on the bike to end his race early. Joshua Landmann did manage to cross the line, though, finishing a respectable sixth against stern competition.
The last Brit to cross the line on the day was Brett Daughtery in the PTS2 event. Finishing in eighth, Daughtery did himself proud as he took the next step in what he hopes to be a prosperous paratriathlon career.
“The goal would be to compete in LA," he said. "I always hoped maybe I could make Paris, but obviously that was always optimistic.
“But it was always good to have that ambition at least, just to get up and put the training in."
