Paralympic qualification at the World Triathlon Para Series in Swansea enters the final phase • World Triathlon

The qualifying phase for the Paris 2024 Paralympics is entering its final week, with two events remaining in the series in Swansea and Montreal that will determine the rankings of those chasing their Paris 2024 dream. For all but the PTS3 women, a place in the top nine all but guarantees them a place on the start line on September 1 and 2, without their fate depending on the 16 IPC invitational places.

On Saturday, that means a return to Swansea, the Welsh city that took part in the circuit for the first time in 2022. Fortunately, for those who remember the storms of 2023, the forecast is bright, the athletes are ready and the action will be non-stop as the penultimate Paris points and opportunities to perfect their racing form draw closer.

The 750-metre swim in the Prince of Wales Docks is followed by a 20-kilometre bike ride and then a 5-kilometre run to the finish line. It starts at 12.30 p.m. in the Welsh city.

Schulz, Daniel and Hammer renew rivalry

An impressive field will once again compete in the men’s PTS5, where four of the top five runners from Tokyo 2020 will compete. Reigning Paralympic Champion Stefan Daniel (CAN) knows he will have his hands full keeping the likes of World Champion Martin Schulz (GER) and Chris Hammer (USA) at bay in this thrilling race.

The visually impaired athletes are next in the water: British PTVI World Champion Dave Ellis B3 and rising star Oscar Kelly B3 will take on continental champions Owen Cravens B3 (USA) and Sam Harding B3 (AUS) for gold; Lukasz Wietecki B3 (POL) is one of the names battling for points to secure a start in Paris.

In the women’s event, Ireland’s Chloe MacCombe B3 is the top-ranked athlete and is beginning to believe that she could not only be on the verge of winning her first series but also winning a Paralympic medal in 2024. Brazil’s Leticia Freitas B1, Italy’s Anna Barbaro B1, Alison Peasgood B2 and Heloise Courvoisier B3 will combine to provide strong competition.

PTWC legends are ready to go

The Dutch duo Jetze Plat H2 and Geert Schipper H2 will again lead the PTWC team. Joshua Landman H2 will be hoping to secure a start in this class for himself and GB with a good result in Paris, as will Spaniard Jose Cristobal Ramos Jimenez H1. The pair are currently 12th and 13th in the rankings respectively.

In the women’s wheelchair class, defending Paralympic champion Kendall Gretsch H2 from the United States will compete against Canadian Leanne Taylor H1, Briton Melissa Nichols H1 and last year’s French winner Mona Francis H2.

Next up is the women’s PTS5, where Britain’s Claire Cashmore remains in the hunt for another Paralympic podium after winning bronze in Tokyo. Canadian star Kamylle Frenette, who finished fourth in Japan, will again be strong competition for gold, while Poland’s Monika Belczewska and France’s Emil Gral will hope to cement their claim for a qualifying place in Paris.

The always impressive Italian Veronica Yoko Plebani, Allysa Seely and Neele Ludwig of Germany will contest the women’s PTS2, with Seely hoping to be the second-best US athlete in Paris. Her teammate Mohamed Lahna will lead the men’s race, with Italy’s Gianluca Valori eyeing points that will secure him a place in the top nine on the leaderboard.

Opportunity is knocking on the door in PTS3

A superb result for Sanne Koopman in the women’s PTS3 will go a long way in boosting her Paralympic spot ambitions, with the top five athletes moving up to join the PTS4 athletes in Paris. US newcomer and Para Cup Taranto winner Rachel Watts is also one to watch. The men’s race could be a close affair, with Nico Van Der Burgt (NED) aiming to overtake last year’s top two by repeating his 2022 victory here over the mighty Daniel Molina (ESP).

With Alexis Hanquinquant absent from the men’s PTS4 race, rising American Carson Clough will take the lead in search of his first gold in the series. Those standing in his way include strong Australian duo Jeremy Peacock and Liam Twomey, while Finley Jakes (GBR), currently 10th in the rankings, is chasing a possible start in Paris, as is Brazilian Jorge Luis Fonseca in 14th place.

In the women’s PTS4, German Eike Van Engelen returns to the course where she won silver in 2022. She wants to climb up the rankings from her current 11th place. Japan’s Mami Tani (13th) and American Kelly Worrell (14th) also want to score the points that could put them in the top nine with one race to go.