Debutant Moore leads British medal haul as Steadman claims sixth European paratriathlon crown

Two years and one day after becoming an amputee, Great Britain’s Hannah Moore is now a European champion.

The para-triathlete led the way for another medal-filled day in the water, on the bike and on the road in Estonia, with nine medals being won in all by the British team.

Five of those were to be gold too, with Lauren Steadman, Fran Brown and Dave Ellis – alongside guide Jack Peasgood – all taking their places atop the podium.

There was also gold for Alison Patrick, as she and new guide Hannah Drewett made their new partnership blossom in Estonia.

But that wasn’t all with a whole host of silver medals, for Joe Townsend, Andy Lewis, Ryan Taylor and Claire Cashmore.

It was only yesterday that Moore celebrated her “ampuversary” – two years since having her leg removed when a procedure had left her with foot pain and infected ulcers.

And she marked the moment in style in her first European Championships in Tartu – powering her way to PTS4 gold, a full 14 minutes ahead of her closest rivals.

“I am so delighted to win in Tartu,” she said.

Meanwhile Paralympic silver medallist Patrick and Drewett also celebrated gold in the women’s visually impaired category – despite this being one of their first major races as a pairing.

Leading after the first swim, it seemed unlikely that the British pair would surrender their lead and so it proved, finishing more than 25 seconds clear of Susana Rodriguez, who took silver.

And there was more visually impaired success as former swimmer Ellis – a dominator of the category in 2018 – maintained his unbeaten run as Peasgood guided him to the Tartu success.

The day had started in perfect fashion in Estonia with three-time Paralympian and Rio silver medallist Steadman the first to win a European crown, leading out a British one-two ahead of compatriot Cashmore – who had led for parts of the race.

Steadman said: “I’m really pleased to be European champion again, this was my sixth title and it meant just as much as all of them before.

“Estonia offered a great racing venue and although it wasn’t my best personal performance, I am chuffed to be bringing home the gold for GB.”

Also leaving with gold in their luggage is Brown, in the PTS2 race, stopping the clock in 1:21:24 – her fastest time over a sprint triathlon course.

There were also hard-fought silvers for Lewis and Taylor, the latter missing out by just two seconds in a PTS3 sprint finish against Spain’s Daniel Molina.

And a successful day was rounded off by wheelchair racer Townsend, the Paralympian and Commonwealth champion moving up from third to second during the technical 5km run course.