Patrick and Lewis crowned ITU Paratriathlon world champions
Alison Patrick and Andy Lewis have been crowned ITU Paratriathlon world champions in Rotterdam.
The Great Britain team also won a silver and bronze medal, but saw Lauren Steadman crash out on the bike with seven weeks to go until the sport makes it’s debut at the Rio Paralympic Games.
Patrick won gold in the PT5 event for visually impaired athletes, guided by Hazel Smith. The 28 year-old former physiotherapist from Dunfermline won the world title in 2014, her first year in the sport.
Andy Lewis added world to the European gold that he won in May, gaining his first ever world title in the PT2 category.
Lizzie Tench won silver in the women’s PT1 event for wheelchair users. Whilst this category is included for men, it’s not included for women in Rio. It could be included in future Paralympic Games. Tench also won gold at the European Championships.
Lauren Steadman crashed during the bike leg and saw Grace Norman, potentially her biggest rival in Rio, claim the gold medal. Steadman was taken to hospital for checks, but it is not suspected that she has any broken bones.
