Charles Paquet said he was delighted with his seventh place in the World Triathlon World Series event presented in the rain in Montreal on Saturday. A ranking that equals his best result in Hamburg, in 2021.
Charles Paquet had a smile on his face after this performance, which he described as “the perfect race”.
After a rather slow start in swimming, the athlete from Port-Cartier climbed to the first peloton in the cycling portion of the event and maintained his pace until the finish line.
Victory on slippery ground
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, you put the right pressure, 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 Paris 2024 Olympic Games. top 12that’s good Olympic points,” said Charles Paquet.
This success comes at the right time for the 26-year-old Quebecer, after a rocky year. Last May, there were 38e in Cagliari, a month after winning Continental Cup gold in St. Peters, Missouri.
“I had a lot of difficult races, especially in the last year, acknowledged Charles Paquet. I think today I showed what I’m worth. »
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Charles Paquet was greeted by his family and loved ones at the finish line.
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 better, to be at home, in the family,” commented the athlete.
Australian Matthew Hauser was crowned champion of this event with a time of 58 min 17 s. He beat the Brazilian Manoel Messias by 11s, and the Belgian Jelle Geens by 15s.
Manitoba’s Tyler Mislawchuk finished 15the.
“A beginning” for Emy Legault
Emy Legault didn’t have a perfect day in the women’s World Series, but she said she was happy with her 40e place.
The Île-Perrot native, who is recovering from a hip injury, admitted to having 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.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Emy Legault concluded the event in 40e position, Saturday in Montreal.
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.
Briton Beth Potter took gold with a time of 58 min 10 s, while French Léonie Périault took second place on the podium. American Summer Rappaport won bronze.
Ontarian Dominika Jamnicky arrived 17e at the finish line.