CLAIRE Cashmore secured a sensational silver medal in the women’s PTS5 race at the World Triathlon Para Championships in Pontevedra, Spain.
Cashmore started the race on the front foot and led the way after the 750m swim with Canada’s Kamylle Frenette in second with British Paralympic gold medallist Lauren Steadman in third.
And Cashmore led a British one-two ahead of Steadman following the 19.7km bike leg with just five seconds separating the top three athletes heading into the second transition.
American Grace Norman, the 2016 Paralympic champion, stormed through from third to win the race with Cashmore in second and Steadman third after a thrilling final 5km run.
Cashmore said: “I’m so happy. I’ve had a little bit of an up and down year so to be honest it was just about getting through this year and getting to this point and, in that place [second], I’m really, really happy with that.
“Next year is the one that we’re focussing on so it’s a really good starting point to work on for next year.
“After this year of so many challenges, with duathlons, aquathlons, not having many triathlon races, struggling with little niggles and stuff like that, but that’s what you get when you get a little bit older in the sport.
“It puts me in a great position for next year and it’s made me realise a lot about training and a lot about balance and all those kind of things. Lots of important lessons learned going forward to next year.”
Cashmore also took silver behind Norman at the test event for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and will be back in action on October 7 at the World Triathlon Para Cup Alhandra in Portugal.
