NEWS

Chaffey cruises to victory at Oceania Championships

By Adam Bailey for the IPC | 22 Feb, 2016

By Megan Mindel and IPC

Reigning men’s PT1 world champion Bill Chaffey won his home race at the Devonport OTU Para-Triathlon Oceania Championships, which concluded on Sunday (21 February) in Devonport, Australia.

Chaffey defended his title against fellow Australians Scott Crowley, Nic Beveridge and Matthew Crumby. Chaffey (1:00:08) did so with ease, besting the competition with a 7-minute lead when he crossed the finish line.

He clocked the fastest times in all three segments (run, bike, swim). After missing the 2014 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, due to injury, Chaffey, who had previously won four world titles, took back his crown at the 2015 World Championships in Chicago, USA, and looks on course to win his class at Rio 2016, where para-triathlon will make its Paralympic debut.

The Oceania Championships featured more match-ups between defending champions and veteran racers looking for their first wins of 2016. The lone non-Australian competitor was New Zealand’s national champion Edwin Jones.

Brant Garvey (1:15:42) and Sally Pilbeam (1:21:30) defended their 2015 Oceania titles in the men’s PT2 and women’s PT3 divisions, respectively.

Joshua Kassulke (1:04:17) got his first win of the 2016 season in the men’s PT4. Kassulke bested Jack Swift and Tony Scoleri, who took second and third respectively. New Zealand’s Jones finished fourth.

Kate Doughty (1:09:13), who finished third at the 2015 World Championships, beat Claire Mclean, who had won the Oceania Championship in 2015.

Jonathan Gerlach (1:06:26) beat Gerrard Gosen in the men’s PT5 race. Reigning women’s PT5 world champion Katie Kelly finished the course in 1:11:19.

Australia’s Emily Tapp (1:16:22) took the women’s PT1 division.

Complete results from the Devonport OTU Para-Triathlon Oceania Championships can be found on the International Triathlon Union’s website.

A highlights video is also online here.

This is just one of the races that will be used in preparation for the Rio 1016 Paralympic Games, with races in men’s PT1, PT2, and PT4 classes; and women’s PT2, PT4, and PT5 classes.

Related Event: 2016 Devonport OTU Paratriathlon Oceania Championships
20 - Feb, 2016 • event pageall results
Results: Men's PT1
1. Bill Chaffey H2 AUS 01:00:08
2. Scott Crowley H2 AUS 01:07:32
3. Nic Beveridge H1 AUS 01:08:26
4. Matthew Brumby H1 AUS 01:11:08
Results: Women's PT1
1. Emily Tapp H1 AUS 01:16:22
DNF. Sara Tait H1 AUS DNF
Results: Men's PT2
1. Brant Garvey AUS 01:15:42
2. Glen Jarvis AUS 01:21:54
Results: Women's PT3
1. Sally Pilbeam AUS 01:21:30
2. Kerryn Harvey AUS 01:23:22
Results: Men's PT4
1. Joshua Kassulke AUS 01:04:17
2. Jack Swift AUS 01:05:58
3. Tony Scoleri AUS 01:09:12
4. Edwin Jones NZL 01:17:50
Results: Women's PT4
1. Kate Næss AUS 01:09:13
2. Claire Mclean AUS 01:15:21