Puertas eyes more major championships in 2019 after Euro experience in Ibiza

PLYMOUTH age group triathlete Chris Puertas is looking to qualifying for next year’s World and European Aquathlon and Cross Triathlon and the World 70.3 Championships.

The Plymouth Harriers and Alltrax Cycles athlete has set his goal for the next 12 months after competing at the recent European Championships in Ibiza.

The veteran athlete, who competes in the 50-54 years’ category, represented Great Britain in both the aquathlon and cross triathlon events in Ibiza.

He finished 21st in his age category in the aquathlon and 23rd in the cross triathlon, despite suffering a nasty accident during the three discipline event that consisted of a 1km sea swim, a 20km mountain bike ride and a 7k run.

After a good swim, he lost ground on the slippery mountain bike discipline, but was catching other competitors when he went to overtake someone and slipped on a decking area on the beach section and crashed into a post.

He smashed his face and jaw in the accident and also hit his legs on the short post. After asking spectators if anything looked broken and getting a ‘no’ answer, Puertas continued to finish 23rd.

However, he did have to have medical treatment afterwards and got an infection in the jaw from the impact.

But the incident has not put him off. He said: “I want to try and qualify for the World Championships in Ponteverdra (Spain) and Europeans in Tartu (Romainia) for 2019. I am also looking for a qualifying slot for the world 70.3 championships in Nice 2019 and will competing in Majorca 70.3 in May.”

He added: “I would like to thank Devonport Royal Dockyard Sports and Social Club for their sponsorship to attend the events.”