Nicholls no longer the new girl on the block ahead of Paris 2024

Melissa Nicholls no longer feels like the new girl on the block after taking home bronze in the PTWC women’s race at the 2024 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea.

Focussing on process rather than power, Nicholls put in an impressive display to earn a podium spot, maintaining momentum in what was the penultimate race of the Paris 2024 qualification window.

Nicholls appears on course to qualify for her third Paralympics this summer - although it will be a first in paratriathlon, having made the switch from hand-cycling in 2019.

The 46-year-old from Tewkesbury enjoyed a successful day out in the elements in Swansea, with her only quandary coming during the swim - where there was a distinct lack of marine wildlife for her liking.

“I was kind of disappointed I didn't see any jellyfish today,” she said. “The first time I came here [in 2022], I didn't expect jellyfish and I had quite a shock when I was about to go in the swim and I heard a member of the public saying, ‘look at all those jellyfish!’

“To get over that initially I started naming them all, so I was looking forward to coming back today and saying, ‘oh, hi, Melly the Jelly!’

“I didn't see any jellyfish [today], but it felt okay. I think I did my lines okay, which was what I was aiming for. It felt right.”

Nicholls' race was the third elite event to finish on a bumper day of action in Wales, as British Triathlon Paratri Super Series racing took place ahead of the elite racing for developing paratriathletes.

There was also lots going on around the racing at the event that achieved Gold in World Triathlon's Sustainability Certification, with the event village and Marina Market bustling with enthusiastic spectators.

Elsewhere in the PTWC event, which classifies athletes who would need to use a wheelchair to compete, British men endured mixed success on the course.

Bret Crossley saw his race end early after suffering a crash on the bike, while Joshua Landmann battled hard amidst tough competition to finish sixth.

Watching on as the all-talented Jetze Plat stormed to yet another victory, Landmann admits that regardless if he makes Paris, the quality of his competitors will only push him to improve further.

“Looking at Jetze, he's incredible across all three - he obviously goes and does like hand-cycling and marathons,” he said.

“It's great to see what those guys are doing and I want to be competing with them. I want my name to be alongside their name on the podiums.

“I've had a pretty good winter. I've had a pretty good season so far. If I don't make it to Paris, I’ve just got to go away, have a big block up until Euros and Worlds and see what gains I can make in that space.”

World Triathlon Para Series Swansea welcomed some of the best paratriathletes in the world to swim, bike, run in South Wales. To start your journey in paratriathlon and find out more about the sport, visit https://www.britishtriathlon.org/paratriathlontalentid.

Sportsbeat 2024