Six Paratriathlon European Championship Gold medals in Kitzbuhel

Paratriathletes kick off British success at the 2017 ETU Triathlon European Championships

“Developmental team” produce top performances in the rain in Austria

There was a very ‘British’ feel to conditions and racing today in Austria as the Great Britain paratriathlon team kicked off the action at the 2017 European Championships in Kitzbuhel, Austria… lots of rain!

Perhaps that worked to our favour, as the medal haul was perhaps the biggest yet from a British team at a European or World Championship event, with six Gold, two Silver and two Bronze. It could perhaps have been even better too, had Rio 2016 Paralympic Silver medallist, Alison Patrick (PTVI), not been impacted by a puncture on the bike.

Here is a roundup of the British performances and medals – along with plenty of interviews with the team, courtesy of the now retired Clare Cunningham, who is out in Austria and has been providing some great updates via the British Triathlon Twitter feed.

Kitzbuhel ETU Paratriathlon European Championships
Friday 16th June 2017 – 750m / 19.5km / 5km
British Results

PTHC: GOLD Jade Jones, 3rd Karen Darke, 5th Lizzie Tench
PTS2: GOLD Andy Lewis, SILVER Fran Brown
PTS3: No GB entrants
PTS4: GOLD Cassie Cava, SILVER Steven Crowley
PTS5: GOLD Lauren Steadman, 4th Kerry Large, BRONZE George Peasgood
PTVI: GOLD Dave Ellis (Guide Carl Shaw), GOLD Melissa Reid (Guide Hazel McLeod), 4th Alison Patrick (Guide Nicole Walters)

FULL RESULTS HERE

Interviews with thanks to Clare Cunningham / British Triathlon:

Jade Jones – Gold in PTHC

European Champion in women's PTHC – @JadeJones11 pic.twitter.com/K7fB40HWqQ

— British Triathlon (@BritTri) June 16, 2017

Andy Lewis (GOLD, PTS2) and George Peasgood (Bronze, PTS5)

Men's PTS2 @ETUtriathlon Champion, @Bladerunnerandy and PTS5 bronze medalist @george_peasgood pic.twitter.com/aPWgzezUd9

— British Triathlon (@BritTri) June 16, 2017

Paralympic Silver medallist Lauren Steadman wins Gold in PTS5

PTS5 women @ETUtriathlon Champion @LaurenSteadman pic.twitter.com/BEQSUaTTHy

— British Triathlon (@BritTri) June 16, 2017

Head Coach Jonny Riall reflects on a good day

A great morning for our paratriathletes at @ETUtriathlon Championships – Head Coach @jonnyriall pic.twitter.com/ynoTBq0pnv

— British Triathlon (@BritTri) June 16, 2017