The top athletes from the Americas and African regions took on courses in their respective Championships over the weekend (12-13 March), with Rio 2016 qualifications points on the line. Para-triathletes have until 30 June to attain performances recorded on the International Triathlon Union (ITU) male and female Paralympic qualification lists.

Sarasota CAMTRI Para-Triathlon American Championships

The USA had a very strong showing at the CAMTRI Para-Triathlon American Championships held Sunday (13 March) in Sarasota, Florida, winning nine out of 10 races.

The USA’s Krige Schabort (56:19) and Kendall Gretsch (1:08:13) took the top spots in the men’s and women’s PT1 races, respectively. Schabort is ranked No. 2 in the ITU Paralympic qualification list, followed by Brazil’s Fernando Aranha (1:03:49), who came in second behind Schabort. The USA’s Mary Catherine Callahan (1:20:23) finished runner-up for the women’s PT1.

The USA’s Mark Barr (1:07:55), who leads the Paralympic qualification rankings in the men’s PT2, received his first win of the 2016 season. Barr finished ahead of teammate Brian Norberg (1:13:27), whose performance moved him to third on the qualification list, followed by Brazil’s Andre Barbieri (1:13:45).

The USA’s reigning world champion Allysa Seely also got her first win in 2016 with a time of 1:17:28 in the women’s PT2. Teammate Melissa Stockwell finished second (1:18:36), followed by teammate Sarah Reinersten (1:20:43). Runner-up at the 2015 World Championships Hailey Danisewicz finished fourth (1:21:05).

Jorge Luis Fonseca (1:05:44) defeated fellow Brazilians Leonardo Curvelo (1:07:37) and Edson Dantas (1:09:34) in the men’s PT3 race.

In the women’s PT3 race, the USA’s Andrea Walton (1:36:43) beat Brazilian Adriele Da Silva (1:43:22).

Three minutes separated the first and second place finishers in the men and women’s PT4 races. The USA’s Chris Hammer (55:52) finished ahead of Mexico’s Jose Abraham Estra Sierra (58:00) for the men’s win, and Brazil’s Carlos Raf Viana took third in 59:37. The USA’s Grace Norman (1:06:39) beat Canada’s Chantel Givens (1:09:38), followed by the USA’s Ruth Ann-Reeves (1:12:46).

Aaron Schiedies (58:33) easily took the win in the men’s PT5 race over fellow USA racer Brandon Adame (1:20:34).

The USA’s Elizabeth Baker (1:05:48) won the women’s PT5 race. She beat out compatriot Amy Dixon (1:06:27), as well as Canadian Christine Robbins…