Search
shop

Preview: Tartu ETU Triathlon European Championships start on Thursday

The international 'Championship' tour continues this week in Estonia, with the Tartu ETU Triathlon European Championships, featuring Elite Sprint, Paratriathlon and Age-Group Standard Distance competition
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Medals and titles to be decided in Estonia

Tartu, the second largest city in Estonia will – starting Thursday – host the first of two ETU Triathlon European Championships this summer. The Estonian city will host Elite Sprint and Age-Group Standard race, along with the Paratriathlon European Championships, before Glasgow in early August will see the Elite Standard Distance and Age-Group Sprint races decided.

Here is a preview of the four days of competition ahead.


European titles on offer in Estonia: Junior & Senior Sprint, Paratriathlon & Age-Group

Championship racing continues this week with the Tartu ETU European Championships in Estonia featuring the Elite Junior and Senior Sprint championships, Paratriathlon and Age-Group standard distance events. Recent ITU World Cup winner, Sophie Coldwell, Paralympic champion, Andy Lewis and a host of other stars make up the Great Britain triathlon team.

ETU European Paratriathlon Championships – Thursday

Lauren Steadman has never been beaten at the European Championships, but with the sport having grown since its Paralympic debut in Rio 2016, she’s taking nothing for granted. Her recent results include having beaten the Paralympic champion, Grace Norman (USA), and she’s going for her sixth European title on Thursday.

Paralympic Champion Andy Lewis is going for his third European title in a row. He said: “I’ve had a bit of injury this year, but I enjoy rising to the challenge of a major championship. It’s really important to me to try to retain the European title that I won in Kitzbuhel last year and Lisbon the year before.”

Andy Lewis
Photo: British Triathlon

Great Britain often dominates the European Championships, but with Tokyo approaching, there are a lot of athletes ready to challenge the established names. 21 year-old Hannah Moore from Dorset it one of those, making her championship debut in the PTS4 category after electing to have her lower leg amputated two years ago following a four-year battle with pain and infection.

Men:Steve Crowley (PTS4), Dave Ellis (PTVI, guide Jack Peasgood), Andy Lewis (PTS2), Ryan Taylor (PTS3), Joe Townsend (PTWC)
Women: Fran Brown (PTS2), Claire Cashmore (PTS5), Hannah Moore (PTS4), Alison Patrick (PTVI, guide Hannah Drewett), Lauren Steadman (PTS5)

ETU Sprint Triathlon European Championships – Friday

Senior and Junior Elite men and women line up to decide the European Champions over a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5k run. Kate Waugh won in Kitzbuhel last year, and Erin Wallace should be a factor having finishing fifth. James Chantler-Mayne finished fourth at the ITU world junior championships last September aged just 17 and is one of four Brits on the start list.

Sophie Coldwell eyes her first senior title after winning the ITU World Cup event in Hungary two weekends ago. She said: “I’ve been working on sprint speed leading up to this and am hoping to have a good race. Championship races always present an opportunity, sometimes you just need to take your chances and see what happens.”

Tiszaujvaros ITU Triathlon World Cup
Photo: Janos M. Schmidt / ITU Media

The European Standard Distance championships are being held in Strathclyde Park, Glasgow next month. Coldwell, Potter and Sheldon are all set to compete in that event. Tickets are still available HERE.

Junior women: Sinead Clark, Erin Wallace, Kate Waugh
Junior men: James Chantler-Mayne, Marcus Dey, Sam Hart, Daniel Slater
Senior women: Sophie Alden, Sophie Coldwell, Olivia Mathias, Beth Potter
Senior men: Samuel Dickinson, Christopher Perham, Grant Sheldon

Age-Group Standard Distance Championships – Saturday

Amateur athletes from age under 20 to over 80 will race across the standard distance in their age category. Great Britain has some stars of the sport including Mike Smallwood (70-74), who could win his 25th international medal. There are at least four defending champions – Sandra Abrams (70-74), Henry Parry (20-24), Daniel Jenkin (30-34) and Donald Brooks (40-44).

Michael Smallwood - ERDINGER Athlete of the Month

Elite Junior Mixed Relay -Sunday

Great Britain has a strong tradition in youth and junior mixed relay events. This event follows the standard format of two female and two male athletes each completing a mini triathlon. The distances are 250m swim, 7km bike and 1.7km run. The British squad will be confirmed on Sunday morning.

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...