Great Britain's Melissa Nicholls takes bronze at World Para Triathlon Series
BySportsbeat
Updated 21/07/2023 at 13:44 GMT
The 46-year-old only started participating internationally in the PTWC category last year and competed in the Swansea Para Tri Series for the second time, advancing her fourth-placed finish from 2022. The Paralympian was pipped to silver in the final lap of the aquathlon as Bret Crossley and Josh Landmann came sixth and seventh in the men's wheelchair race.
Melissa Nicholls of great Britain during the IPC Grand Prix Final at Alexander Stadium on June 29, 2013 in Birmingham, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Melissa Nicholls won bronze at the World Triathlon Para Series in Swansea to claim three podiums in three races on her Wales return.
The 46-year-old only started participating internationally in the PTWC category last year and competed in the Swansea Para Tri Series for the second time, advancing her fourth-placed finish from 2022.
The Olympian and former wheelchair racer held her own in the swim but emerged from the water two minutes behind eventual winner Mona Francis of France.
Determined Nicholls closed the gap in the push and found herself neck and neck with Margret Ijdema after the first lap.
On the second lap, the Tewkesbury triathlete dexterously manoeuvred into second, but a dramatic final lap saw her lose out to Brazilian Jessica Ferreira who romped home for silver.
The Series was a chance for elite athletes to collect valuable points towards Paris 2024 qualification.
In the interests of athlete safety, the race was declared an aquathlon after adverse weather forced the bike discipline to be cancelled.
She said: "I'm over the moon about it, there was a little mess up at the end but it's racing, it's pretty early days for me in triathlon or the aquathlon.
"Yesterday, with the reccy, had I known that there was potential of finishing where I have today I wouldn't have believed it, so I'm pleased to have a good position in the race that I've had.
"I was so excited to race again in Swansea, the weather hasn't been on our side, but Swansea definitely has been so it's nice to come back and do better than last year.
Bret Crossley and Josh Landmann came sixth and seventh in the men's wheelchair as Landmann unluckily lost the rubber on his pusher in the first lap.
It was not meant to be for the British PTWC men, but the pair certainly felt inspired by the atmosphere at Swansea in the standalone Para Tri Series.
The amateur Super Series and the Splash and Dash events saw seasoned triathlon revellers and complete aquathlon beginners take part before the elite athletes got underway to advance participation within the sport.
Landmann said: "I had a good swim and then I got onto the chair and was pushing great.
"Unfortunately, one of my rubbers came off on my pusher so I was pushing on one rubber and lost a few places, but I managed to pull back what I could.
"I've just got to keep moving forward now and then hopefully get a smooth race at some point.
"It's always great to have home support which we don't get when we travel the continent as much and it's great to showcase the sport in the UK and hopefully get more people involved across all categories.
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