USA TRI Paratriathletes Win Third Straight Gold Medal in the Paratriathlon Mixed Relay World Championship

PONTEVEDRA, Spain – Kendall Gretsch, Carson Clough, Grace Norman and Owen Cravens, guided by Kevin McDowell, captured the United States’ third consecutive gold medal in the Paratriathlon Mixed Relay World Championship on Sunday, Sept. 27, at the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Finals. 

Since the event was introduced at the World Championships in 2024, the United States has won all three editions. No other nation has claimed the world title. 

The Para Mixed Relay World Championship features four athletes from different classifications, each completing a 125-meter swim, 3.8-kilometer bike and 800-meter run. Despite a 10-second penalty the team would have to overcome, the U.S. crossed the finish line in 48 minutes, 43 seconds, edging Australia by six seconds. Brazil finished third in 49:01. 

Gretsch (PTWC) opened the relay for the U.S., exiting the water and completing the first bike and run leg with the Americans sitting fourth. With no requirement for a specific gender to race a particular leg, Gretsch found herself starting alongside mostly male competitors. 

“It’s so much fun to start everyone together, and always just to stay as close to the guys as I can,” said Gretsch. 

Clough (PTS3) took over for the second leg, using his bike and run to move the U.S. into striking distance of the podium. “I don't know if I passed anyone, I don't think I got passed by anyone, but I went as hard as I could...thank goodness Grace, Owen, and Kendall pulled us through,” said Clough. 

Norman (PTS5) was next for the third leg. Undefeated in World Triathlon racing since 2021, Norman delivered a powerful bike and run leg to move the Americans into third place, but she also knew she had a 10-second dismount penalty waiting for her, adding another layer of strategy to her race. 

“I knew before I started that I would have to serve a penalty, so I was trying to keep that in mind...when I saw the leaders, I was trying to make up on them but also give myself enough cushion so I could stop...but yeah redline all the time, and it was just so fun,” said Norman.  

That left Cravens, guided by Tokyo Olympic silver medalist McDowell, with the anchor leg. The pair began their leg more than one minute behind the leaders but quickly began closing the gap. 

Cravens and McDowell came out of the water in fourth before passing Australia’s Jack Howell on the bike. The pair entered the second transition alongside Brazil’s Sergio Silva and Howell, but a quick transition put the Americans into striking distance of the lead and cut their deficit in half. 

“I haven’t run like that in awhile, so I just saw the people in front of me and wanted to hunt them down, and this is my best distance, the shorter the better for me. I can always rip a 700 or 800 [meter run],” said Cravens. 

With McDowell guiding him through the final leg, Cravens continued to chase down the leaders and bring the U.S. to the front of the race. “I mean I love this team. It’s fun, and I knew we had to back it up and bring it home, and I was just keeping [Cravens] going...so, I don’t know, gotta be the cheer support too, while on the team,” said McDowell. 

The effort secured the United States its third consecutive Paratriathlon Mixed Relay World Championship and extended the nation's undefeated record in the event. 

The USA TRI Elite Program is supported by the USA Triathlon Foundation and generous donors. If you’re interested in supporting elite paratriathlon and Elevate28, visit the USA Triathlon Foundation website to get involved.