On paratriathlon’s Paralympic debut, ParalympicGB has collected four medals, the latest coming courtesy of a phenomenal PT5 event, where Alison Patrick and Hazel Smith bagged silver ahead of compatriots Melissa Reid and guide Nicole Walters for bronze. The victors were the Aussie pairing of Katie Kelly and triathlon legend Michellie Jones.
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Exiting T1 after the 750m swim, Reid/Walters were lying in second place behind the Dutch duo of Hakker/van Vliet, but ahead of teammates Patrick/Smith in third. But by the end of the first lap of the four-lap 22km bike, Reid/Walters had taken the lead, with the Dutch in-between the two Brit couples. Chasing in fourth was the formidable pairing of Kelly/Jones (AUS), but only 13secs separated the octet.
After the second lap, Reid/Walters were still in the lead, but Patrick/Smith had moved into silver and Kelly/Jones into bronze-medal position. In a game of constant leapfrog, it was the turn of Kelly/Jones at the front of the race after lap three, with Reid/Walters in second, Patrick/Smith in third.
At the start of the 5km run, the positions remained the same, the Aussie duo extending their lead of the chasing Brits with every step. But by the end of the first lap, Patrick/Smith had slotted into second ahead of Reid/Walters. With over a minute cushion over fourth place, the top three positions remained the same until the very end, as Copacabana welcomed in their last three medallists.
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For full results head here and for a full report and exclusive imagery from today’s and yesterday’s men’s events, check out the November issue of 220, on sale 11 October.
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PIC CREDIT: David Pearce