Leanne Taylor leads Canadian power trio with first gold at World Triathlon Para Series

SWANSEA, Wales – Leanne Taylor of Winnipeg won her first career gold medal on the World Triathlon Para Series circuit on Saturday to highlight a triple medal Canadian performance.

Taylor, born in the UK and cheered on by local family members, triumphed in the women’s wheelchair event. Kamylle Frenette (Dieppe, N.B.) was second in the women’s standing PTS 5 and Stefan Daniel (Calgary) took bronze in the men’s PTS 5

It was a fourth career medal and first victory for the 31-year-old Taylor on the circuit. She clocked the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and five-kilometre wheelchair race in 1:12:21.

“I had a great race out there today and to get my first WPS win is very exciting,’’ said Taylor, 31. ‘’It couldn’t have come at a better time than building towards the (Paralympic) Games. I hope we get another one next week in Montreal.’’

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The series heads across the Atlantic for the annual Montreal stop on Saturday June 29 at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Taylor, paralyzed from the waist down in a mountain bike accident in 2018, finished ahead of Kendall Gretsch (United States) second in 1:13:36 while Melissa Nicholls, of Great Britain was third (1:15:08).

Frenette collected a second-straight silver medal on the circuit finishing in 1:11:25 for her sixth career medal on the circuit and 20^th medal in International Triathlon Union sanctioned events.

Claire Cashmore (Great Britain) was the winner in 1:09:33. Poland’s Monika Belczewska locked up the bronze in 1:14:10.

‘’I’m very pleased with my swimming and my running,’’ Frenette told Acadie Nouvelle. ‘’However there is some work to do with my cycling. But that’s the beauty of triathlon, there’s always something you can improve. That keeps it interesting.’’

Daniel, a two-time Paralympic medallist, finished in 59:44 in the hard-fought battle.

Brazil’s Ronan Cordeiro was first at 59:18, while two-time Paralympic champion Martin Schulz of Germany finished in 59:28.

It was an average day out there,’’ posted Daniel on his Instagram account. ‘’ I wasn’t able to execute what I have been in training which never feels good afterwards. On the positive side, I’ve made some noticeable improvements in a couple key areas which is something I can build on.

‘’Definitely proud of my fight during the race.’’

Carolyn Murray, head coach of Canada’s Para triathlon team. Is pleased with her trio’s progress.

“It was a solid performance all-around, and a great opportunity for the entire team to race on a challenging course that will be similar to Paris,” she said.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will begin with the Opening Ceremony on August 28 and continue through September 8, with coverage of the Games on CBC and CBC Sports and Radio-Canada.