Road To Paris: Climbing the Paralympic Rankings
Judith MacCombe & guide Eimear Nicholls
Judith MacCombe and her guide Eimear Nicholls put together a stunning performance at the 2024 World Triathlon Para Cup Samarkand this weekend, putting last week’s mechanical issues firmly behind them to break the tape and claim the top spot of the Women’s PTVI podium. With their Paralympic ranking at 9th after Yokohama, the pair were within the qualification cut-off. However, competition was fierce between 6th and 10th. The win in Samarkand is another big step towards securing their Paralympic slot, with the duo now moving up to 6th on the ranking list for the Women’s PTVI category.
Donnacha MacCarthy & guide Sean Husband
Donnacha McCarthy and his guide Sean Husband continued their Paralympic points chase as they raced to third in the Men’s PTVI. The duo produced strong bike and run performances to secure the final spot on the podium, with pursuit not far behind them. Despite the podium performance for McCarthy and Husband, the pair have dropped one place in the Paralympic ranking as Polish athlete Lukasz Wietecki and his guide broke the tape and secured the maximum points, jumping four ranking places in the process.
Tom Williamson
Tom Williamson was also in flying form to secure bronze in the Men’s PTS5 category. With his signature fast swim, Williamson was out of the water in the lead as they headed through T1. A strong bike split saw him maintain the podium position into T2 before racing through the 5km run course for 3rd.
All athletes will line up again for the 2024 World Triathlon Para Cup Vigo, Spain, on the first of June. They will also be joined by Chloe MacCombe and her guide Catherine Sands.
