Canadian teenager Daniel wins on home course

Canada’s Stefan Daniel solidified himself as one to watch at the upcoming Para-Triathlon World Championships by winning the men’s PT4 classification at the Edmonton International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Para-Triathlon Event (WPE) which wrapped-up on Saturday (5 September).

The 18-year-old thrilled his family and friends who made the three-hour drive north from his hometown in Calgary. Daniel chalked up his fourth podium finish in as many races, and third gold in this year’s World Para-Triathlon Event series.Daniel clocked a time of 59:29.

“Winning in front of a home crowd with lots of friends and family here makes it extra special,” Daniel said. “That is the best I have ever felt in a triathlon.”

Daniel led wire-to-wire through the 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run course. He out-duelled Great Britain’s David Hill in the water, then dropped American Chris Hammer on the bike, before dusting the entire field on the run course. Hammer finished second at 1:01:53, while Hungary’s Peter Boronkay locked up the bronze in 1:03:59.

“The bike felt good, but I think that run is the best I have ever done,” Daniel said. “That really is the best I have ever felt. There are lots of strong athletes here, but now I’m really looking forward to Chicago (for the World Championships).”

The ITU Grand Final will be held from 15-19 September in Chicago, USA, with the Para-Triathlon World Championships kicking off on 18 September.

“I want to win World Championships,” said Daniel, who will have to fend off Germany’s Martin Schulz. “I have been training hard for it, but there are a lot of great athletes there. I believe if I have a really good race, stay strong, I will have a good chance.”

Canada was treated to another win in men’s PT5 top finisher Lowell Taylor.

But the US enjoyed the most success with five athletes crossing the finish line first; the women swept all four of their classes.

In just her second year competing in para-triathlon, Amy Dixon clenched her second WPE win, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of Canada’s Christine Robbins in silver and Ireland’s Catherine Walsh in third.

The USA’s Allysa Seely furthered her road to Rio 2016, where the sport will make its Paralympic debut, with a win in the women’s PT2 in 1:30.33. Patricia Collins (1:24.59) won the women’s PT4 race.

Andrea Walton won the women’s PT3 to complete the sweep in 1:39.44. Andre Cilliers (1:12) was the sole male winner from the US, which he accomplished with a strong bike and run in the men’s PT3 sport class.

Italian Giovanni Achenza (1:04.05) picked up his second win of the season in men’s PT1 with a monster win, crushing the competition by more than six minutes. Morocco’s Mohamed Lahna (1:15.08) also secured a win in men’s PT2 sport class with a sizeable margin at three minutes.

Complete results from the Edmonton ITU World Para-Triathlon Event can be found on the ITU’s website.