GB paratriathlon squad: the women

For details on paratriathlon and the different classifications read Paratriathlon: the ultimate guide

FAYE MCCLELLAND

Category PT4

Age 36

Lives Eastbourne

Career Highlights

4 x World PT4 Champion

3 x European PT4 Champion

2016 SEASON TO DATE

1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Besançon

2nd, European Championships

FAYE’S STRENGTH

Her incredible focus under pressure.

FAYE’S WEAKNESS

Her swim – she usually has to play catch-up as the race proceeds.

FAYE’S MAIN RIVALS

Her teammate Steadman and Grace Norman (USA, p119). Since May ’14, McClelland has been 2nd, or lower, to Steadman’s first in nine out of nine races.

OUR PREDICTION

We’d be surprised if she didn’t medal – bronze for McClelland.

ALISON PATRICK

Category PT5

Age 28

Lives Dunfermline, SCOTLAND

Career Highlights

1st, Rio Test Event, 2015

2 x European PT5 Champion

2014 World PT5 Champion

2016 SEASON TO DATE

European PT5 Champion

1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Buffalo City

ALISON’S STRENGTH

Intuitive team work with her guide plus her run strength.

ALISON’S WEAKNESS

She lost time to the Aussie pairing (Kelly and Jones) during the swim at the 2015 ITU Worlds.

ALISON’S MAIN RIVALS

Australia’s Katie Kelly – she’s only raced her once (2015 Worlds), and took silver.

OUR PREDICTION

If the swim goes well, we predict gold.

MELISSA REID

Category PT5

Age 25

Lives Truro

Career Highlights

4 x World PT5 Aquathlon Champion

2013 World PT5 Champion

2013 European PT5 Champion

2016 SEASON TO DATE

2nd, European Championships

1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Aguilas

3rd, ITU World Paratriathlon, Buffalo City

MELISSA’S STRENGTH

Her swim – living in Cornwall, Melissa does a lot of sea swimming.

MELISSA’S WEAKNESS

Her run speed.

MELISSA’S MAIN RIVALS

Her teammate Patrick, who she hasn’t beaten since May 2014, Australia’s Kelly and Spain’s Susana Rodriguez.

OUR PREDICTION

There are stronger women – fourth.

CLAIRE CUNNINGHAM

Category PT4

Age 39

Lives Cambridge

Career highlights

16 x ITU podiums

2009 World PT4 Champion

2009 European PT4 Champion

2016 Season to date

4^th, European Champs

2^nd, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Penrith

Claire’s strength

Swim – she’s a Paralympic gold medal winner in the pool.

Claire’s weakness

The bike.

Claire’s main rivals

Her teammates Lauren Steadman and Faye McClelland, plus the USA’s Grace Norman.

Our prediction

4^th.

LAUREN STEADMAN

Category PT4

Age 23

Lives Portsmouth

Career Highlights

2 x World PT4 Champion

4 x European PT4 Champion

1st, Rio Test Event, 2015

13 consecutive race wins (as of July ’16)

2 x Paralympian (Beijing and London), swimming

2016 Season to date

1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Strathclyde

European PT4 Champion

1st, ITU World Paratriathlon, Buffalo City

LAUREN’S STRENGTH

Unquestionably her swim, plus the confidence that she hasn’t been beaten since May 2014 (she came second).

LAUREN’S WEAKNESS

Her run – there are faster runners in her category.

LAUREN’S MAIN RIVALS

Her closest rival, certainly on the run, is Grace Norman from the USA. But Lauren often wins races by more
than a minute.

OUR PREDICTION

The only way Steadman will fly back home from Rio without a gold medal is if she loses it en route to the airport.

Related

In pictures: GB paratriathletes in training ahead of Rio

GB paratri team grab gold, silver and two bronze at Worlds

GB paratri team announced for Rio Paralympics