ELLIS GETS SEASON OFF TO A FLYER
THE second leg of the British Triathlon Paratri Super Series provided some thrilling racing in Llanelli in an event that has ramped up the excitement ahead of a return to South Wales later this summer.
The Volvo 2022 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea in August will bring the best paratriathletes in the world together – and there were some standout performances in Llanelli to whet the appetite.
Four-time world and European champion Dave Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard might have produced the pick of the performances, winning the men’s PTVI by more than three-and-a-half minutes ahead of Oscar Kelly, one of his rivals at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Ellis said: “It’s our first triathlon of the season so it’s good to get a hard race in and blow off the cobwebs.
“We’re looking forward to Swansea, it’s great to have a big race back in the UK.
“It’s one you want to be at every year and do well for the home crowd, it should be awesome.”
Mel Nicholls, a Paralympian in London and Rio, claimed victory in the women’s PTWC in her first paratriathlon event, while Bret Crossley won the men’s equivalent to build on a strong start to the season.
Megan Richter and Finley Jakes claimed wins in the women’s and men’s PTS4 races respectively, while British men’s PTS5 champion Michael Salisbury won on his return to Llanelli, 12 months after competing in only his second ever paratriathlon at this event last year.
And there were also wins for Jack Howitt and Felix Barrow in the men’s PTS2 and PTS3, respectively.
Next up in the Paratri Super Series is Eton Dorney in July before Swansea on August 6, and Crossley is already itching for a return to Wales.
He said: “I love triathlon and I think the Swansea event is going to be really big.
“So I’m hoping I’m going to be able to take part in that.”
Elsewhere, Iona Miller took victory in the senior female sprint, while Connor Bentley won the men’s senior tier 1 sprint with Bethany Cook and Joe Sherman taking the junior equivalents.
Deri Mccluskey won the Youth male B race, and Alex Dack finished first in the Youth A race.
In the Youth female race, Lauren Mitchell won both the Youth A and the overall despite being in the younger age category.
Millie Breese finished second to take the Youth B race win.
Volvo 2022 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea is Britain’s first standalone race of this level, bringing the world’s best paratriathletes to race. The event day will also host British Triathlon Para Super Series racing for developing paratriathletes.