Some of the best Para triathletes of the world will travel this weekend to Montreal, Canada, for the World Triathlon Para Series that will kick-off the Paralympic Qualification period. This weekend’s action will unfold on Montreal’s famed Gilles Villeneuve Formula 1 track and the field is stack with talent that is vying to pave their way to Paris.
PTWC
Three-time world champion and Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist, Lauren Parker (AUS), will be again chasing her 11th consecutive victory in Montreal.The 34 years old is coming fresh after her spectacular UCI para-cycling Road World Cup debut in May, followed by a victory at the WTPS Yokohama as she eyes a unique place in Paralympic history - places on both the para-triathlon and para-cycling teams for next year’s Paris Games.
It won’t be an easy task for Parker, with Tokyo Paralympic Champion -by inches- Kendall Gretsch (USA) also present on the start line this Saturday, and some rising stars of this class like Jessica Ferreira (BRA) or Margret Ijdema (NED), as well as newcomers Emelia Perry (USA) or Brenda Osnaya Alvarez (MEX).
On the men’s PTWC category, Nick Beveridge (AUS), Howie Sanborn (USA) and Jumpei Kimura (JPN) have, on paper, chances of starting their Qualification with some good valuable points, but on a race as open as this one, everything can happen.
PTVI
Para triathlon stars on the PTVI category, Kyle Coon (USA) and Susana Rodriguez (ESP) will be lining up in Montreal this weekend, on the chase of an early classification for Paris. On the men’s side, the race will be one of the more contested ever, with Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Hector Catala (ESP) chasing the medals, and also with a few new names that are looking to step on the podium positions, like Owen Cravens (USA), Sam Harding (AUS) or Oscar Kelly (GBR).
On the women’s side, the battle for Susana Rodriguez -Tokyo 2020 Paralympics champion- will come from local hero Jessica Toumela (CAN), who will count with the extra support from the crowds, while new athletes like Heloise Courbusier (FRA), Chloe Maccombe (IRL) or Letitia Freitas (BRA) could make a surprising debut in the class.
PTS2
Mohamed Lahna (USA), Lionel Morales (ESP) or Wim DePaepe (BEL) already know what it is to be on a podium, and the battle will likely be fierce in this category, where Hailey Danz (USA) and Melissa Stockwell (USA) will be leading the female field.
PTS3
On the PTS3 class, the latest addition to the programme in Paris 2024, a strong field of athletes will be looking for their first ever chance to compete at the Paralympics. Keep an eye for Nico Van Der Burgt (NED), Kini Carrasco (ESP) or Justin Godfray (AUS), while on the women’s side the class will not be present in Paris but the athletes have the chance of class-up, which will be a great opportunity for Kenia Yesenia Villalobos Vargas (MEX).
PTS4
If there’s a king of Para triathlon on the lead to Paris 24, that surely is Alexis Hanquinquant. The Frenchman has won every single race he has done since 2019, and it will not be easy to beat him in Montreal this weekend. Alejandro Sanchez Palomero (ESP), Jeremy Peacock (USA) or Hideki Uda (JPN) have shown great progress so far this year, but they might be fighting for the lower steps of the podium.
On the women’s side, Kelly Elmlinger (USA) will be wearing the number 1, but up and coming athletes like Elke Van Engelen (GER) or Atalia Nevo (ISR) are willing to prove that they are fit and in a good position to start que qualification period.
PTS5
Local hero Stefan Daniel will not be easy to beat this Saturday in Montreal, counting on the extra support of the crowds. David Bryant (AUS), Chris Hammer (USA) or Filipe Marques (POR) are worth to keep an eye on, while on the women’s class, it looks like a great opportunity for Grace Norman (USA) to get some valuable points early in the Qualification period, but look out for the likes of Monika Belczewska (POL), Kamylle Frenette (CAN) or Lauren Steadman (GBR).