A Paralympian from Redditch has cemented her place as one of the best paratriathletes in the world after taking a top spot at the World Triathlon Para Championships.
Claire Cashmore won a silver medal in the women’s PTS5 race on Saturday, September 23 at the sporting event being held in Pontevedra, Spain.
She said: “I’m so happy. I’ve had a little bit of an up-and-down year, so to be honest it was just about getting through this year and getting to this point with a second-place finish, I’m really, really happy with that.”
The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist started on the front foot and led the way after the 750m swim with Canada’s Kamylle Frenette in second and British Paralympic gold medallist Lauren Steadman in third.
As the race progressed onto the 19.7km bike leg, Cashmore led a British 1-2 with Steadman just behind her and the American 2016 Paralympic Champion, Grace Norman, in third.
Cashmore added: “Today it was so much fun out there, especially the fact that Grace, Lauren and I were all very close together.
“Coming out of the swim together, then out on the bike it was a bit of chop and change as to who took the lead, and then onto the run, Grace got away quite quickly, and Lauren and I were battling it out for the silver and bronze.
“That’s what I like, I like a race, and it was just great fun for the three of us to be back together racing again.”
The trio, who have traded victories for several years, were separated by just five seconds as they headed into T2.
Norman set the pace on the 5km run, and as Cashmore attempted to go with her American rival, she managed to pull clear of Steadman and claim the silver medal.
“It puts me in a great position for next year and it’s made me realise a lot about training and balance and all those kinds of things.
“Lots of important lessons have been learned going forward to next year.”
Cashmore also took silver to Norman at the test event for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and will be back in action on Saturday, October 7 at the World Triathlon Para Cup Alhandra.
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