Chaffey faces challenge

Paralympian to rise above difficult preparation

FIVE-TIME world champion Bill Chaffey says a disruptive final week of preparations won’t stop him performing well in Saturday’s second World Paratriathlon Series round in Yokohama.

The Paralympian (pictured) will only arrive in the Japan city today after spending the past week working in Sydney with limited equipment.

But the Gold Coast paratriathlete, who finished fourth in the PT1 category at last year’s Rio Paralympics, isn’t concerned as he looks to build towards September’s ITU World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

“Prior to this week I did a good block of training so hopefully I can put in a good race on Saturday. At least I’ll be well rested,” Chaffey said.

“It will be a good chance to see where I currently sit on the world stage.

“My focus long term is the Commonwealth Games in April next year.”

Chaffey became the first paratriathlete to secure his spot at next year’s Commonwealth Games with a secondplace finish in the PT Hand Cycle class at the Gold Coast leg of the WPS in April.

Chaffey and fellow Gold Coaster Nic Beveridge, also in the hand cycle class, will go up against a strong field, including Rio silver and bronze medallists Geert Schipper and Giovanni Achenza.

Seven of the 10 starters from Rio will be in the field of eight in Yokohama. Beveridge relocated to the Gold Coast late last year to link with coach Dan Atkins.

Gold Coast’s Sara Tait will also look to take another step towards representing Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Saturday.

The hand cycle paratriathlete’s home is located on the course to be used for the Commonwealth Games.

Tait finished third on the Gold Coast in April and admitted she was overawed in her first elite race.

Tait’s biggest opposition will come from 2016 world championship silver medallist Lizzie Tench, of Britain, while a number of new athletes are debuting in Yokohama, including Japanese Paralympic marathon gold medallist Wakako Tsuchida and British-based Rio Paralympian Jade Jones.