The Goodstone Group Devonport Triathlon has been allocated a World Cup Paratriathlon, one of only six of its kind on the global Triathlon calendar. 
 
Up to 60 of the best paratriathletes from around the world will race in Devonport during a bumper day of triathlon racing on Saturday 17th February.  The new status is bound to attract multiple World and Olympic champions from all over the world.  
 
One of Australia’s longest standing triathlon festivals has built a reputation of hosting Australia’s best Paratri athletes in recent years and that is now set to go global with the new status announced this week.
 
Race Director Michael Bonney said the world cup status was something we have been working on for several editions.
 
“The Paratri athletes are so inspiring, I wanted to do something to really showcase that element of the event.  Now we have the first World Cup of the year, with the series then flowing on to New Orleans, Spain, UK, France and finishing in Sarasota, USA on October 14 2018,” Bonney said.  There are a range a classifications that will compete, including amputees who are amazing, particularly in transition and visually impaired who often require a guide.
 
Triathlon Australia’s National Manager, Events and Technical, Lukas Matys praised the event and Australia’s elite Paratriathles. 
 
“We’re excited that Devonport Triathlon will also feature the Paratriathlon World Cup race in February. Australia has a very strong Paratriathlon program and having these opportunities to compete at international standard races is vital to the ongoing success and a wonderful promotion to encourage participation. We are very grateful that Devonport has embraced paratriathlon and host one of our key Australian championship events,” Matys said.
 
Athletes will race over the sprint distance, including a 750m swim, 20km ride and 5km run, taking in the traditional course of the Devonport Triathlon, hugging the Mersey Bluff with the start, transitions and finish all held at the Devonport Surf Club.
 
“We’ve got a really strong tradition and the Devonport Triathlon is a well respected race in Australia, which is one of the reasons why we’ve been given this new status.  Part of that is the venue is suburb and visitors always rave about the scenery,” Bonney added.
 
The day will once again play host to four categories of racing, with the elites, kids and community triathlons using the same course as the World Cup ParTri.
 
“With the Commonwealth Games only just around the corner from the race, the elites will be fighting out for Continental Cup points, with the event broadened to include this new status as well,” Bonney explained.
 
The Goodstone Devonport Triathlon starts and finishes at the Devonport Surf Life Saving Club at Mersey Bluff on Saturday 17th February 2018.

File vision from the 2017 event is availablehere, with specific ParaTrivision here.