Reigning men’s PT1 world champion Bill Chaffey won his home race at the Devonport OTU Para-Triathlon Oceania Championships, which concluded on Sunday (21 February) in Devonport, Australia.
Chaffey defended his title against fellow Australians Scott Crowley, Nic Beveridge and Matthew Crumby. Chaffey (1:00:08) did so with ease, besting the competition with a 7-minute lead when he crossed the finish line.
He clocked the fastest times in all three segments (run, bike, swim). After missing the 2014 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, due to injury, Chaffey, who had previously won four world titles, took back his crown at the 2015 World Championships in Chicago, USA, and looks on course to win his class at Rio 2016, where para-triathlon will make its Paralympic debut.
The Oceania Championships featured more match-ups between defending champions and veteran racers looking for their first wins of 2016. The lone non-Australian competitor was New Zealand’s national champion Edwin Jones.
Brant Garvey (1:15:42) and Sally Pilbeam (1:21:30) defended their 2015 Oceania titles in the men’s PT2 and women’s PT3 divisions, respectively.
Joshua Kassulke (1:04:17) got his first win of the 2016 season in the men’s PT4. Kassulke bested Jack Swift and Tony Scoleri, who took second and third respectively. New Zealand’s Jones finished fourth.
Kate Doughty (1:09:13), who finished third at the 2015 World Championships, beat Claire Mclean, who had won the Oceania Championship in 2015.
Jonathan Gerlach (1:06:26) beat Gerrard Gosen in the men’s PT5 race. Reigning women’s PT5 world champion Katie Kelly finished the course in 1:11:19.
Australia’s Emily Tapp (1:16:22) took the women’s PT1 division.
Complete results from the Devonport OTU Para-Triathlon Oceania Championships can be found on the International Triathlon Union’s website.
A highlights video is also online here.
This is just one of the races that will be used in preparation for the Rio 1016 Paralympic Games, with races in men’s PT1, PT2, and PT4 classes; and women’s PT2, PT4, and PT5 classes.
