Kiwi Triathlete takes out International Triathlon

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Samantha Warriner

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(L-R) Andrea Hewitt, Samantha Warriner and Marina Ohata (Brazil) on the podium at Salford.

MEDIA RELEASE
31 July 2006
For immediate release

Kiwi Triathlete takes out International Triathlon

Two New Zealand triathletes have achieved success at an international triathlon this weekend.

Yesterday [30 July] triathlete Samantha Warriner came in first in the women’s elite division of an International Triathlon Union World Cup race in Salford, United Kingdom, while Andrea Hewitt came in third in the same event.

Triathlon New Zealand High Performance Director, Stephen Farrell, said it was great to see Warriner come in first this year after a second place finish in the event last year when she missed the split in the pack after the swim.

“Achieving a top three spot at Salford is an important achievement for both Warriner and Hewitt as it is one of 15 ITU World Cup races held throughout the year in which athletes can earn points to gain entry to the Lausanne World Championships on 2 and 3 September,” Stephen said.

Stephen said there was a change to the Salford course for this year’s event.

“The race started with a two lap swim in an enclosed dock. This was followed by a very technical flat and fast cycle leg featuring 11 sweeping turns, and a very flat four lap run course.”

Samantha Warriner completed the entire course in two hours four minutes and 28 seconds, just 34 seconds faster than second place winner Marina Ohata of Brazil. Andrea Hewitt was just four seconds behind the Brazilian, finishing with a time of two hours, four minutes and 56 seconds.

“Warriner and Hewitt were both in the top eight right from the start of the race and at the end of the cycle leg the group’s lead was an insurmountable two minutes.

“Warriner and Hewitt both broke away on the first kilometre of the run, running together for the next two laps. After seven kilometres Warriner took the lead. Hewitt fell into third with less than a kilometre left to the finish,” Stephen said.

New Zealander Debbie Tanner also came in eight place, finishing with the fastest run of the day.

Stephen said that New Zealand’s triathletes have had some great success in international events lately.

“Just last week Kris Gemmell came in first at the ITU’s Corner Brook triathlon.

“With Warriner and Hewitt’s great results this weekend New Zealand has now had nine finishes in the top three spots in World Cup races this year.

“Our triathletes are riding a wave of success at the moment and I look forward to seeing how they go at the World Championships.”

For further information on Salford visit www.triathlon.org

ENDS

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