Paratriathletes Claim Three Titles, 12 Medals for the U.S. at Paratriathlon Worlds

LONDON—U.S. paratriathletes locked up three world titles and 12 overall medals across seven divisions Friday at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Hyde Park.

Hailey Danisewicz (TRI-2, Chicago, Ill.), Megan Fisher (TRI-5, Seattle, Wash.) and Ivonne Mosquera (TRI-6a, Philadelphia, Pa.) captured gold medals on the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run course.

This is the first world title for Danisewicz, while Fisher and Mosquera have won world titles previously. Fisher won her last world title in 2010 before shifting her focus to para-cycling for the 2012 Paralympic Games; she now has three paratriathlon world titles to her name. This is Mosquera’s second world title, following a win in Australia in 2009.

“There was great support out on the road. It was great to hear them also cheer for the guide, so the other part of the team that makes it possible for totally blind runners to compete at this level,” Mosquera said. “It was well organized and the Brits did it right. It’s been a fantastic experience.”

It rained most of the day at the venue in Hyde Park, which was set near the Serpentine along the London 2012 Olympic triathlon course.

“I’m from Seattle, so the rainy weather didn’t really faze me. I did the best I could to keep the power on and put distance between me and Patty [Collins, also from the U.S., who finished second],” Fisher said. The crowd was great, everyone was cheering and it was absolutely inspirational. I’m very thrilled with today’s race.”

Events like world championships are now part of the road to Rio de Janeiro and the 2016 Paralympic Games, where paratriathlon will make its debut. The decision to add the sport to the Paralympic program has led to larger participation numbers, and this year’s field is no exception as the largest yet at a world championship event with 210 athletes from 26 countries.

“This was super special because it’s amazing to see our sport grow,” said Aaron Scheidies (Seattle, Wash.), who won silver in the TRI-6b division. “There are so many paratriathletes out here […] and the competition is getting better so that’s really great to see.”

More is yet to come in London as the ITU World Triathlon Series Final will be contested over the next two days, where the winner of the 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series will be crowned. Age-group athletes will also compete on Sunday morning. Visit usatriathlon.org for coverage of all the events.

2013 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships - Click here for complete results

750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run

United States Medalists 

Female TRI-1

3. Jacqui Kapinowski (Point Pleasant, N.J.), 1:23:21

Male TRI-1

3. Krige Schabort (Cedartown, Ga.), 1:01:51
Female TRI-2
1. Hailey Danisewicz (Chicago, Ill.), 1:29:29
2. Melissa Stockwell (Chicago, Ill.), 1:30:39

3. Sarah Reinertsen (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), 1:38:32
Male TRI-2
3.Mark Barr (Houston, Texas), 1:15:40
Female TRI-3
3. Beth Price (Spanish Fort, Ala.), 1:45:04
Male TRI-3
3. David Kyle (Athens, Ala.), 1:20:09
Female TRI-5
1. Megan Fisher (Seattle, Wash.), 1:26:27

2. Patricia Collins (Alexandria, Va.), 1:28:01
Female TRI-6a
1. Ivonne Mosquera (Philadelphia, Pa.), 1:29:12

Male TRI-6b

2. Aaron Scheidies (Seattle, Wash.), 1:04:57