GOLD COAST, Australia – Canada’s Stefan Daniel is the king of Para triathlon for the second straight year after successfully defending his world championship title in Gold Coast, Australia on Saturday morning.
It was the Calgary native’s third career world crown.
“This one is even more special than the rest,’’ said Daniel, 21, born with bilateral radial club hands. ‘’I have had a tough year. I didn’t race well all season. I knew I had put in the training. I knew it would show on race day so I was confident coming into this. I’m just really happy to get the job done.”
Daniel clocked 57 minutes and 43 seconds for first in the PS5 disability category. Paralympic champion Martin Schulz of Germany was second in 58:44. Great Britain’s George Peasgood was third at 59:14.
It was a tremendous battle between the trio. Peasgood led the men out of the water and stayed out front off the bike. With only two km to go, Daniel made the breakaway to cross the finish line first with a split time on the run of 15:55.
“It is not often all three of us [Daniel, Schulz, Peasgood] get to race against each other throughout the year so I do get motivated when we are on the same start line,” said Daniel, the silver medallist at the Rio Paralympic Games. “I didn’t come into this race any more nervous than usual. I’ve raced these guys before and I know we bring the best out of each other.’’
Jessica Tuomela (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) and her guide Lauren Babineau (Victoria) were fourth in the visually impaired category. Canada’s rookie on the Para triathlon scene, Kamylle Frenette (Dieppe, N.B.) also finished fourth in the women’s standing division.
Jon Dunkerley (Ottawa) and his guide James Cook (Victoria) finished in eighth spot in the men’s visually impaired race.
Full results: https://triathlon.org/results/result/2018_itu_world_triathlon_grand_final_gold_coast
