Danz, Elmlinger, Norman and Sanborn Victorious at the 2023 World Triathlon Para Series Montreal

MONTREAL – U.S. elite paratriathletes struck gold in Canada on Saturday, July 8 as Hailey Danz (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Kelly Elmlinger (San Antonio, Texas), Grace Norman (Jamestown, Ohio) and Howie Sanborn (Denver, Colo.) all won gold medals at the 2023 World Triathlon Para Series Montreal. 

The U.S. won 12 medals across six sport categories in the third stop of the 2023 WTPS that featured 18 U.S. elite paratriathletes. Montreal also officially opened up the qualification period for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.  

Danz defended her PTS2 title in Montreal, after claiming gold last year. Crossing the line in 1 hour, 14 minutes and 21 seconds, she also continued her undefeated streak in the 2023 season after winning WTPS Yokohama and the Americas Para Championships in Sarasota, Florida. Training partner Melissa Stockwell (Colorado Springs, Colo.) followed Danz to snag the silver medal, finishing in 1:19:38. 

With Sanborn’s PTWC win, he collected his second gold and third medal of the 2023 WTPS season and the sole gold medal for the U.S. men. He finished with a time of 1:01:00, over a minute ahead of the competition.  

In the PTS4 women’s sport class, Elmlinger clocked her victory at 1:13:26, finishing first of what would be a clean sweep of the podium for the United States. Emma Meyers (Pensacola, Fla.) earned second with a time of 1:16:54 and Kendra Herber (Monroe, Ohio) finished third in 1:19:04. 

The final victory was earned by Norman, in the women’s PTS5 sport category. In her first WTPS appearance of the season, Norman beat out her friendly rival, Lauren Steadman of Great Britain, with a time of 1:03:06.  

In the women’s PTWC race, Kendall Gretsch (Downers Grove, Ill.) claimed the silver medal, her second of the season, with a time of 1:06:11.  

Nearly missing the top of the podium by less than 30 seconds, Mohamed Lahna clocked a time of 1:08:51 to earn the silver medal in the men’s PTS2 division. Carson Clough (Charlotte, N.C.) and Chris Hammer (Gilbert, Ariz.) also finished second in their respective sport classes. Clough finished with a time of 1:01:43 to claim silver in the PTS4 competition, while Hammer had the fastest time of the day with a 57:37 second-place finish in the PTS5 race.  

The final medal for the U.S. men was earned by Kyle Coon (Colorado Springs, Colo.) in the PTVI division. Along with his guide, Zack Goodman, Coon earned a bronze with a time of 59:59. 

The final stop of the 2023 World Triathlon Para Series will be in Swansea, Wales next weekend on July 15. 

An extended highlights package of the Montreal event will be available on-demand on TriathlonLIVE.tv. 

2023 World Triathlon Para Series Montreal – Complete Results 
773m swim, 20.2k bike, 5k run 

U.S. Finishers 

Men PTWC 
1. Howie Sanborn (Denver, Colo.), 1:01:00 

Women PTWC 
2. Kendall Gretsch (Downers Grove, Ill.), 1:06:11 
6. Emelia Perry (Philadelphia, Pa.), 1:10:44 
 
Men PTS2 
2. Mohamed Lahna (Elk Grove, Calif.), 1:08:51 
6. Adam Popp (Golden, Colo.), 1:14:21 

Women PTS2 
1. Hailey Danz (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 1:14:40 
2. Melissa Stockwell (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 1:19:38 
 
Men PTS4 
2. Carson Clough (Charlotte, N.C.), 1:01:43 
8. Eric McElvenny (Pittsburgh, Pa.), 1:04:21 
 
PTS4 Women 
1. Kelly Elmlinger (San Antonio, Texas), 1:13:26 
2. Emma Meyers (Pensacola, Fla.), 1:16:54 
3. Kendra Herber (Monroe, Ohio), 1:19:04 
5. Kelly Worrell (Cherry Hill, N.J.), 1:26:11 
 
PTS5 Men 
2. Chris Hammer (Gilbert, Ariz.), 57:37 
 

PTS5 Women 
1. Grace Norman (Jamestown, Ohio), 1:03:06 

Men PTVI 
3. Kyle Coon (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 59:59 

Women PTVI 
6. McClain Hermes (Gainsville, Ga.), 1:12:19 
8. Deborah Chucoski (Corning, N.Y.), 1:19:05