Charles Paquet said he was delighted with his seventh place in the World Triathlon World Series event presented in the rain of Montreal on Saturday. A ranking that equals his best result in Hamburg, in 2021.
Charles Paquet had a smile on his face after what he described as the “perfect race”.
After a rather slow start in swimming, the athlete from Port-Cartier climbed to the first peloton on the bike portion of the event and maintained his pace until the finish line.
With uneven terrain and wet pavement, Saturday’s triathletes faced a tough course, but Charles Paquet managed to avoid a crash. “When you have confidence, it comes naturally,” said the athlete.
“Today we knew it was going to be slippery, so you put the right tires on, you put the right pressure on, you control what you can control, then it takes a bit of luck,” added Charles Paquet with a laugh.
The triathlete hopes to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. “Obviously a first top 12 is good Olympic points,” said Charles Paquet.
This success comes at a good time for the 26-year-old Quebecer, after a rocky year. Last May, he came 38th at the Cagliari event, a month after winning gold at the Continental Cup in St. Peters, Missouri.
“I had a lot of tough races, especially in the last year,” said Charles Paquet. I think today I showed what I’m worth. »
The humidity and the overcast sky did not prevent many spectators from encouraging the athlete as he approached the finish line. Charles Paquet’s relatives were waiting for him at the end of the course, with tears in their eyes. “I couldn’t ask for more, to be at home, in the family,” commented the athlete.
Australian Matthew Hauser was crowned champion of this event with a time of 58:17. He beat Brazilian Manoel Messias by 11s and Belgium’s Jelle Geens by 15s.
Manitoban Tyler Mislawchuk finished 15th.
Emy Legault didn’t have a perfect day in the women’s World Series, but she said she was happy with her 40th place finish.
The Île-Perrot native, who is recovering from a hip injury, admitted to being in pain at the end of her run, but said she was happy with her performance. “Running has been really good, it’s been a long time since I felt good like this,” she said.
Emy Legault, however, said she was “disappointed” with her performance on the bike. “It was very slippery, so you had to be careful,” she explained. But maybe I was a little too careful in the first laps, and that’s what cost me the peloton. »
Emy Legault assured that this performance was “just the beginning”, but said he wanted to follow his own pace. “I have to be indulgent with myself and allow myself time to rebuild my form,” said the triathlete.
“The injuries, I think it’s settled, there, it’s just to find the speed,” said Emy Legault.
The athlete had a record-breaking 2022 season, with a silver medal at the Huatulco World Cup and a tenth-place finish at the Hamburg event. However, the year 2023 begins more slowly for Emy Legault.
The Quebecer, however, said she was sure to go up the slope. “If I did it last year, I can do it again,” she said.
Britain’s Beth Potter took gold with a time of 58:10, while Frenchwoman Léonie Périault took second place on the podium. American Summer Rappaport won bronze.
Ontarian Dominika Jamnicky arrived 17th at the finish line.