SARASOTA, Fla.—Canada’s triathletes racked up seven medals over the weekend at the Americas Triathlon Cup races in Sarasota, Florida.

Canada’s Paratriathletes found their way onto the podium four times, winning two golds, one silver and one bronze.

Calgary’s Stefan Daniel got his season off to a golden start in the men’s standing classification. The 26-year-old, two-time Paralympic medallist stomped the international field, posting the best time of the day at 55:03 in the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and five-kilometre run course.

“It felt great to have a strong start to the season. I had a good swim and led the whole way,” said Daniel. “On the bike, I just tried to stay as smooth as possible. Going from indoor training in the winter to racing outside is always a bit of a shock to the system, but I was able to put myself in the lead going onto the run and held on from there.

“It was good to see where things are at early in the season, and now I know what needs to be improved before Yokohama.”

Brazil’s Ronan Cordeiro was second at 55:47. Chris Hammer, of the United States, crossed the finish line in third place with a time of 56:26.

Montreal’s Hicham Boufekane was tops in the men’s PTS3 division. Boufekane completed the sprint course in a time of 1:50:21.

Winnipeg’s Leanne Taylor battled to the silver medal for the second-straight year in Sarasota in the women’s sit race category. Taylor, who began Paratriathlon in 2019, stopped the clock at 1:02:05.

“I’m happy with the race. It is a really good start to the year,” said the 30-year-old Taylor. “Obviously it would have been nice to be number one on the podium, but I think we are moving in the right direction, which is what we want to see to get ready for Paris.”

Brazil’s Jessica Ferreira won the classification with a time of 1:00:05. Mexico’s Brenda Osnaya Alvarez completed the course in a time of 1:05:16 for third place.

Jessica Tuomela (Sault Ste Marie, Ont.) and her guide Emma Skaug (Victoria) battled to the bronze medal in the women’s visually impaired category. The Canadian duo clocked-in at 1:13:23.

McClain Hermes, of the United States, set the time to beat at 1:10:12. Brazil’s Leticia Freitas claimed the silver at 1:12:47.

Leo Sammarelli was fifth in the men’s sitting classification with a time of 1:26:23.

On Saturday, Team Canada celebrated a trio of podium finishes in the elite and junior Americas Cup races.

Mathis Beaulieu won his eighth straight international race, taking top spot in the elite men’s sprint test. The 18-year-old from Quebec City clocked a winning time of 50:58 in the field of 51. Two Americans – John Reed and Kaeo Kruse – were second and third respectively. Reed stopped the clock at 51:13, while Kruse ran to the bronze medal with a time of 51:17.

Two Canadian juniors snagged silver medals in the Americas Triathlon North American Junior Championship. British Columbia’s Sidney Clement was second iinn the women’s race with a time of 57:26. The young Canuck was sandwiched on the podium between Mexico’s Jimena Reata De La Pena Schott who won with a time of 56:57. American Naomi Ruff was third at 57:47.

Quebec’s Leandre Binette stormed the silver medal in the junior men’s race with a time of 53:06. Luke Anthony (United States) was in the gold medal spot on the podium with a time of 52:22 and Sullivan Middaugh, also of the United States, in third at 53:17.

Americas Triathlon Para Championships

Complete Americas Cup Results:

Complete Junior Results: 

ABOUT TRIATHLON CANADA
Triathlon Canada is the governing body of the sport in the country. Triathlon Canada’s more than 22,000members include athletes, coaches and officials from the grassroots to elite levels. With the support of its valued corporate partners – 94 FORWARD, Training Peaks, Subaru Canada, Z3R0D, Tribe Solutions, Champion System Canada, BOCO Gear Canada, ZiZU Optics, Outway Performance Socks, SCICON – along with the City of Victoria, Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Own the Podium, Triathlon Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and World Champions in all race disciplines For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at www.triathloncanada.com. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Triathlon Canada

T: 403-620-8731

E-mail: chris.dornan@triathloncanada.com