Bill Chaffey (paratriathlete)

Chaffey became an incomplete paraplegic when, as a non-disabled triathlete training for an Ironman Triathlon, he was hit by a truck while on his bicycle.{{cite web|url=http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/in_profile_bill_chaffey_australia|title=In Profile: Bill Chaffey, Australia|date=15 October 2009|publisher=International Triathlon Union}}

He competes in the PT1 (handcycle/racing wheelchair classification) (formerly TRI-1) and was TRI-1 Paratriathlon World Champion in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.triathlon.org/athletes/profile/32627/bill_chaffey|title=Bill Chaffey: Results|publisher=International Triathlon Union}} Chaffey's come-from-behind win over Jetze Plat was named in the International Paralympic Committee's Top 50 moments in Paralympic sport of 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.paralympic.org/feature/no-36-bill-chaffey-makes-it-four-row |title=Bill makes it four in a row |publisher=International Paralympic Committee |access-date=8 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308062939/http://www.paralympic.org/feature/no-36-bill-chaffey-makes-it-four-row |archive-date=8 March 2014 |df=dmy-all }} Chaffey was nominated for IPC Athlete of the Month in September 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/paralympics/1016359-september-s-ipc-athlete-of-the-month-poll-open|title=September's IPC Athlete of the Month Poll opens|date=5 October 2013 }}

In January 2013, Chaffey won the inaugural Australian Paratriathlon Championships, beating Ironman and Paralympian John Maclean and Paralympic rower Erik Horrie.{{cite web|url=http://london2012.paralympic.org.au/news/chaffey-makes-history-first-ever-national-paratriathlon|title=Chaffey makes history at first ever national paratriathlon|publisher=Australian Paralympic Committee|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212180318/http://london2012.paralympic.org.au/news/chaffey-makes-history-first-ever-national-paratriathlon|archive-date=12 February 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/bill-chaffey-gets-boost-in-road-to-rio/story-e6frg7mf-1226552000056|title=Bill Chaffey gets boost in road to Rio|publisher=The Australian|date=11 Jan 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.triathlon.org.au/News/Latest_News/Inspired_Chaffey_wins_first_Australian_Paratriathlon_Crown.htm |title=Inspired Chaffey wins first Australian paratriathlon crown |publisher=Triathlon Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130012311/http://www.triathlon.org.au/News/Latest_News/Inspired_Chaffey_wins_first_Australian_Paratriathlon_Crown.htm |archive-date=30 January 2013 }} He won the Men's TRI-1 classification of the 2014 Oceania Paratriathlon Championships in a world best time of 58.22,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingwheelies.org.au/news/486-chaffey-clocks-world-first-at-paratriathlon-titles |title=Chaffey clocks world first at paratriathlon titles |publisher=Sporting Wheelies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126233340/http://www.sportingwheelies.org.au/news/486-chaffey-clocks-world-first-at-paratriathlon-titles |archive-date=26 January 2014 }} and won the 2014 ITU World Paratriathlon event in Elwood, Melbourne.{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.org.au/news/chaffey-defeats-weather-elwood |title=Chaffey defeats weather in Elwood |publisher=Australian Paralympic Committee |access-date=8 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308013308/http://www.paralympic.org.au/news/chaffey-defeats-weather-elwood |archive-date= 8 March 2014 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.triathlon.org/paratriathlon/results_event/2014_penrith_otu_paratriathlon_oceania_championships | title=2014 Penrith OTU Paratriathlon Oceania Championships | World Triathlon }}

In March 2013, Chaffey set a new TRI-1 world best time for an Olympic distance triathlon. His time of 2:08:59 bettered the previous record by 5 minutes.{{cite web |url=http://chasingthedream-triathlon.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/mooloolaba-number-5.html |title=Mooloolaba number 5 |last=Backhouse |first=Gillian |date=19 March 2013 |website=Chasing The Dream |access-date=7 January 2021}} In 2016 Chaffey again bettered that time by over 5 minutes setting a new world best time of 2:02:35.

In May 2013, Chaffey raced Ironman Cairns where he qualified for Ironman World Championships in Kona.{{cite web|url=http://www.trizone.com.au/20130521/where-theres-a-will-theres-a-way-bill-chaffey-continues-to-inspire|title=Where there's a will there's a way: Bill Chaffey continues to inspire|date=21 May 2013 |publisher=Trizone}}{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/more-sports/bill-chaffey-to-compete-in-first-hawaiian-iron-man-eight-years-after-being-hit-by-truck-training-for-first-attempt/story-fnii0hmo-1226735014187|title=Bill Chaffey to compete in first Hawaiian Ironman eight years after being hit after being hit by truck training for first attempt|author=AMANDA LULHAM|date=8 October 2013|access-date=8 March 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon-news/articles/2013/09/kona-calls-for-champion-paratriathlete.aspx#axzz2vKvdnksA|title=Australian Paratriathlete Tackles Unfinished Business in Kona|publisher=ironman.com|access-date=8 March 2014}} He placed 2nd his classification in Kona.{{cite web|url=http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/world-championship/results.aspx?rd=20131012&race=worldchampionship&bidid=153&detail=1#axzz2vKZN1vWU|title=Ironman World Championship 2013 Results – Bill Chaffey|access-date=8 March 2013}}

Chaffey was forced to withdraw from the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Series Final in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada after breaking his hip in a training accident at home just prior to the event.{{cite news|title=A shattered Bill Chaffey out of world champs after fall|url=http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/shattered-bill-chaffey-out-world-champs-after-fall/2362432/|access-date=31 August 2014|work=Northern Star|date=24 August 2014}} In January 2015, he returned from injury to win the Oceania Paratriathlon Championships PT1 event at Penrith, New South Wales.{{cite web|title=brave rain swept Neapean to Conquer Oceania Championships|url=http://www.triathlon.org.au/About/Latest_News/PARATRIATHLETES_BRAVE_RAIN_SWEPT_NEPEAN_TO_CONQUER_OCEANIA_CHAMPIONSHIPS.htm|website=Triathlon Australia News, 13 January 2013|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727214615/http://www.triathlon.org.au/About/Latest_News/PARATRIATHLETES_BRAVE_RAIN_SWEPT_NEPEAN_TO_CONQUER_OCEANIA_CHAMPIONSHIPS.htm|url-status=dead}}

Chaffey won his fifth world championship at the 2015 World Championships Final in Chicago.{{cite web|last1=White|first1=Chelsea|title=Australia awesome at Paratriathlon World Championships|url=http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/paratriathlon_crowns_ten_world_champions|website=International Triathlon Union News|date=18 September 2015 |access-date=18 September 2015}}

Chaffey competed at the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games and finished fourth in the Men's PT1 event.{{cite web|title=Men – PT2 Schedule & Results |url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics/triathlon-men-pt2 |website=Rio 2016 Paralympic Games |access-date=19 September 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923080142/https://www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics/triathlon-men-pt2 |archive-date=23 September 2016 }} In preparation for the Paralympics, Chaffey stated "I just thought, this has to be mine. I have to have it...the Paralympics, A paralympic gold would not be a level step up but a greater step up, it's something I'm really putting a lot of focus on."{{cite web|title=Rio 2016 Paralympics Bill Chaffey Interview|url=http://www.triathlon.org/multimedia/video/rio_2016_paralympics_bill_chaffey_interview|website=Rio 2016 Paralympics Bill Chaffey Interview|publisher=International Triathlon Union|access-date=18 September 2016}} During the Paralympics, Chaffey expressed his love of triathlon through saying "It's triathlon, it's in my blood. I love it. It's the greatest sport in the world".{{cite web|last1=Spits|first1=Scott|title=Triathlon on debut at Rio Paralympics: Pain, disappointment and a love for the sport|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/triathlon-on-debut-at-rio-paralympics-pain-disappointment-and-a-love-for-the-sport-20160911-grdoem.html|website=Triathlon on debut at Rio Paralympics: Pain, disappointment and a love for the sport|date=11 September 2016 |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=18 September 2016}}

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast, Queensland, he won the bronze medal in the men's PWTC despite crashing in the hand cycle leg and riding the final 8 km of that leg with one pedal.{{cite news |last1=Bode |first1=Mark |title=Gold Coast Commonwealth Games: Ex-McCarthy Catholic College student Bill Chaffey lauded for character following heavy crash |url=https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/5328720/chaffey-wins-paratriathlon-bronze-but-admonishes-himself-after-crash/ |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=The Northern Daily Leader |date=7 April 2018}}

In his final major international event, at the 2018 World Championships, Gold Coast, Queensland, he finished sixth in the Men's PTWC.{{cite web |title=Tapp turned on full bore as Emily strokes World Championship gold |url=http://www.triathlon.org.au/About/Latest_News/Tapp_turned_on_full_bore_as_Emily_strikes_world_championship_gold.htm |website=Triathlon Australia website |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917034356/http://www.triathlon.org.au/About/Latest_News/Tapp_turned_on_full_bore_as_Emily_strikes_world_championship_gold.htm |archive-date=17 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}

• 2016 – Australian Paratriathlete of the Year{{cite web|title=Rion Bound Ryan Bailie scoops the pool at Celebration Champions Dinner|url=http://www.triathlon.org.au/About/Latest_News/RIO_BOUND_RYAN_BAILIE_SCOOPS_THE_POOL_AT_CELEBRATION_OF_CHAMPIONS_DINNER.htm|website=Triathlon Australia News, 10 April 2016|access-date=10 April 2016}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Paralympics Australia|bill-chaffey}}
• [http://www.triathlon.org/athletes/profile/32627/bill_chaffey International Triathlon Union profile and results]
• [https://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi82904089/ Tri-Hard] (2009), a documentary film directed by Sheraden Robins
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg7JWxhi208 Bill Chaffey – Paratriathlon World Champion 2012], edited footage from the ITU World Championships race in Auckland
• [https://soundcloud.com/abc_grandstand/paratriathlete-bill-chaffey Bill Chaffey talks to Karen Tighe, ABC about the debut of paratriathlon at 2016 Paralympics Games]
• [http://www.triathlon.org/multimedia/video/rio_2016_paralympics_bill_chaffey_interview Bill Chaffey Interview – Rio 2016 Paralympics]

{{2016 Australian Paralympic Team}}

{{Portal bar|Australia|Biography|Sports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chaffey, Bill}}

Category:1975 births

Category:Australian male triathletes

Category:Australian police officers

Category:Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for Australia

Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in triathlon

Category:Living people

Category:Paralympic triathletes for Australia

Category:Triathletes at the 2016 Summer Paralympics

Category:Sportspeople from Tamworth, New South Wales

Category:Triathletes at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Category:Sportsmen from New South Wales

Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen

Category:Medallists at the 2018 Commonwealth Games