Jade Jones swaps the track for triathlon in Yokohama

by Adam Bailey for the IPC on 10 May, 2017 03:05 • Español
Jade Jones swaps the track for triathlon in Yokohama

A first ever triathlon can be a daunting experience, but British wheelchair racer Jade Jones is relishing the challenge as she prepares to compete in her first Para triathlon at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Para triathlon Series in Yokohama, Japan.

Jones, who has competed on the track in the last two Paralympic Games, has wanted to try the sport for a number of years. After watching it make its Paralympics debut in Rio 2016, she decided to try it out.

“Triathlon is something I’ve always wanted to have a go at and after Rio I thought it would be a good time for a new challenge,” Jones said. “It’s been hard to learn completely new disciplines from scratch but it’s also been a lot of fun to try something new.”

The 21-year-old only began swim training in November 2016 and her preparation has seen her continue to break records on the track. Jones broke the British 10,000m record last weekend, just a few weeks after setting a personal best in the Boston Marathon and a fifth-place finish at the London Marathon.

“I’m really pleased with my build-up for the race,” Jones said. “The endurance events, such as a marathon in the race chair, really cross over with my triathlon training in terms of fitness. My training has been going well so I am looking to put in a strong performance and see where I go from there.”

Jones will put all her training and preparation to the test when she competes in the PTHC class in Yokohama alongside her compatriot Lizzie Tench. Jones said she is looking forward to competing in her first triathlon “without any pressure or expectations.”

When asked about her aims, Jones said: “I’m currently looking to do both track/road and Para triathlon. The training crosses over really well so I don’t feel any pressure to choose between the two right now. I’m excited to see how the season goes.”

Seeing her compatriot Andy Lewis win gold in Rio was especially encouraging, and Lewis will be hoping to start his season with a win in the men’s PTS2 category, as will the Netherlands’ Geert Schipper in the men’s PTHC class.

The USA’s Allysa Seely (PTS2) will be looking to continue their dominance after coming off Paralympic gold.

Her compatriot Chris Hammer will be hoping to make it two wins out of two by following up his victory from the World Series opening race in Gold Coast, Australia, in what looks set to be a hotly-contested men’s PTS5 race.

Australian Kate Doughty will be looking to repeat her PT4 success from last year in the newly-formed PTS5 classification. Japan’s Ryu Nakazawa will give the host nation something to cheer for as he looks to defend his PTVI title in Yokohama. But he faces competition from Spain’s Hector Catala Laparra, who captured bronze at last year’s World Championships. British pair Alison Patrick and Melissa Reid will renew their rivalry in the women’s PTVI class.

Click here for the full paratriathlon start lists

The Yokohama ITU Para Triathlon World Series will be live streamed at www.triathlonlive.tv and on the World Triathlon Facebook page. The competition can also be followed with the hashtags #WTSYokohama and #paratriathlon on Twitter and Facebook.


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Related Event: 2017 Yokohama ITU World Paratriathlon Series
13 May, 2017 • event pageall results
Results: PTWC Men
1. Geert Schipper H2 NED 01:00:35
2. Giovanni Achenza H1 ITA 01:00:58
3. Bill Chaffey H2 AUS 01:03:06
4. Joseph Townsend H2 GBR 01:03:33
5. Nic Beveridge H1 AUS 01:03:53
Results: PTWC Women
1. Wakako Tsuchida H2 JPN 01:15:11
2. Jade Hall H2 GBR 01:16:30
3. Eva María Moral Pedrero H1 ESP 01:17:42
4. Lizzie Tench H2 GBR 01:22:26
5. Sara Tait H1 AUS 01:38:46
Results: PTS2 Men
1. Andrew Lewis GBR 01:08:44
2. Mark Barr USA 01:08:53
3. Mohamed Lahna USA 01:11:20
4. Stefan Loesler GER 01:12:47
5. Geoffrey Wersy FRA 01:15:20
Results: PTS2 Women
1. Allysa Seely USA 01:21:01
2. Hailey Danz USA 01:21:45
3. Liisa Lilja FIN 01:23:50
4. Yukako Hata JPN 01:30:24
5. Rakel Mateo Uriarte ESP 01:32:49
Results: PTS3 Men
1. Daniel Molina ESP 01:09:27
2. Ryan Taylor GBR 01:09:56
3. Kini Carrasco ESP 01:21:23
Results: PTS3 Women
1. Anna Plotnikova RUS 01:21:38
2. Nora Hansel GER 01:23:34
Results: PTS4 Men
1. Jamie Brown USA 01:05:35
2. Mikhail Kolmakov RUS 01:06:47
3. Marcelo Collet BRA 01:07:38
4. Jorge Luis Fonseca BRA 01:09:04
5. Joel Rosinbum USA 01:09:28
Results: PTS4 Women
1. Mami Tani JPN 01:18:06
2. Sally Pilbeam AUS 01:21:43
3. Patricia Collins USA 01:21:50
Results: PTS5 Men
1. Chris Hammer USA 01:02:23
2. Aleksandr Ialchik RUS 01:02:27
3. George Peasgood GBR 01:02:39
4. Péter Boronkay HUN 01:05:09
5. Keiichi Sato JPN 01:05:15
Results: PTS5 Women
1. Kate Næss AUS 01:09:20
2. Gwladys Lemoussu FRA 01:11:54
3. Anna Bychkova RUS 01:16:18
4. Petra Lévay HUN 01:21:13
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