MONTREAL - Decorated Canadian para triathlete Stefan Daniel claimed his first victory of the season Saturday in Montreal.
The 28-year-old Calgarian raced from the front of the pack in the swim, bike and run sprint distance to win the World Triathlon Para Series event.
Daniel, a six-time world champion and two-time Paralympic medallist, covered the 750-kilometre swim, 20k bike and 5k run in a time of 56 minutes 25 seconds at Parc Jean-Drapeau.
The Canadian races in the men’s PTS5 classification, which is for athletes affected to a low degree on the leg, a moderate level in both forearms, a high degree in one foot and ankle, or have absence of limbs. Daniel was born with club hands.
Montreal was the fourth of five international races in the para triathlon world series after stops in Devonport, Australia, Yokohama, Japan and Taranto, Italy.
World champions will be determined in October in Wollongong, Australia.
Daniel finished second to American Chris Hammer, who was third Saturday, on July 12 in Magog, Que.
“It was good today. I was totally happy with that one,” Daniel said. “I didn’t have my best effort last week in Magog, so I tried to just have fun with it today and enjoy being back in Montreal.
“My fitness isn’t where I want it to be right now in the bike and the run, so the goal was to commit to having a really good swim.â€
Daniel was among the top three men coming out of the water, which put him in good position for the bike around the Gilles Villeneuve Formula One track.
“’I’m glad I was able to have a good swim and find the front guys. The three of us quickly pulled away from the field,†the Canadian said.
“Everyone is close on the bike and there are lots of fast runners in the field now so I just wanted to find the feet of the lead pack. I was able to execute the plan.â€
After earning Paralympic silver in 2016 and bronze in 2021, Daniel was front-running in Paris last year when he crashed out during the bike leg.
“It was a bit of a relief for sure crossing the finish line in first. There has been lots of ups and downs since Paris, and it is normal that you experience a bit of a dip in motivation in the post-Paralympic year,†he said. “It felt great to know that I was able to battle hard and have a great result heading into this next stretch.â€
Also Saturday in Montreal, Desirae Ridenour of Cowichan Bay, B.C., and Quebec City’s Mathis Beaulieu were winners in the Americas Triathlon Cup held in conjunction with para triathlon.
The 25-year-old Ridenour broke the tape in the sprint distance in a time of 57:12. Beaulieu, 20, won the men’s race in 51:30.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 19, 2025.
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