A French triathlete asked that the New Zealand national anthem be played, following his victory in the ITU World Cup race in Mooloolaba, Queensland yesterday.

Laurent Vidal made the request as a tribute to the city and people of Christchurch, where he and his partner Andrea Hewitt spent the New Zealand summer living and training.

Vidal won the race from American Brad Kahlefeldt and Frenchman David Hauss. Clark Ellice, the sole Kiwi in the men's field, finished 22nd.

Hewitt finished third in the women's Olympic distance race, her first race of the year, behind Australian Erin Densham and Switzerland's Nicola Spirig.

- APNZ