Cashmore takes World Paratriathlon Series gold ahead of Steadman in Montreal

Four-time Paralympian Claire Cashmore delivered an emphatic statement of intent in her bid to reach Tokyo 2020 by claiming her first ITU World Paratriathlon Series gold medal in Montreal.

The 31-year-old edged out compatriot and Rio 2016 Paralympic silver medallist Lauren Steadman in the PTS5 category, taking top spot on the podium in a time of 1:06:12.9.

Steadman was making her return to international competition in Canada and will take plenty of encouragement from her performance after finishing second (1:06:21.8).

For Cashmore, who competed as a swimmer at her four previous Games, the gold medal was an upgrade on the silver she achieved at the World Paratriathlon Series in Yokohoma.

“I’m really pleased to have won my first ever World Paratriathlon Series gold medal,” Cashmore said. “My preparations for the event went really well and I was feeling good on the start line.

“The Montreal course is pretty special, and it’s really cool to race on the F1 circuit. It really suited the way I race, and it was great to have Lauren pushing me the whole way. It was a really exciting finish but I’m so happy to have got that tape.”

But they were not the only members of the nine-strong British Paratriathlon squad to taste success, with Hannah Moore also impressing as she won gold in the PTS4 category.

Moore crossed the line in 1:11:29.1 to beat American Kelly Elmlinger (1:14:35.0) to top spot, with Japan’s Mani Tani (1:18:11.1) completing the podium.

Elsewhere, Alison Peasgood followed up her golf at the ITU World Paratriathlon Series in Milan with a silver medal in Montreal as Spain’s Susana Rodriguez took PTVI gold.

Rio 2016 silver medallist Peasgood, who was competing alongside her guide Nikki Bartlett, finished second ahead of Canada’s Jessica Tuomela, who pipped American Elizabeth Baker to bronze.

Two-time Paralympian Jade Jones-Hall was also in the medals, capturing bronze in the PTWC category behind Australian Emily Tapp and Japan’s Wakako Tsuchida.

In the men’s categories, George Peasgood claimed PTS5 bronze as Stefan Daniel of Canada and Germany’s Martin Schulz won gold and silver medals, respectively.

National champion Dave Ellis backed up his silver medal from the Milan ITU World Paratriathlon Series with another victory in Montreal in the PTVI category.

Meanwhile, Joseph Townsend finished just outside the medals in the PTWC race, coming in fourth behind Italian Giovanni Achenza, while Steven Crowley was tenth in the PTS4 category.

Picture credit: British Triathlon

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