Tauranga's Peter Clode took the honours among New Zealand competitors at the world long-distance triathlon championships in Nice.
Clode fought his way through the field to take seventh spot as 1998 New Zealand Ironman winner Peter Sandvang successfully defended his world title.
Clode was 22nd out of the 4km swim, moved to 15th following the 120km cycling section in the French Alps, then had a strong run over the 30km circuit along the Cote Azur.
The finish continues the strong form of 1998 national champion Clode, who finished second in the Alcatraz triathlon in San Francisco three weeks ago.
Aucklanders Cameron Brown finished 13th at Nice, while Gisborne's Stephen Sheldrake and Tauranga's Andrew Vane withdrew after crashing.
Isabelle Mouthon of France won the women's race.
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