TRIATHLON - For Warriner, every second counts at worlds

You would think that Sam Warriner, having already put her rivals on notice with one of the quickest-run legs in triathlon history, might have her game plan all sorted out for the world championships this weekend.
Have a swim, cycle to warm up again - then run like the wind to win a world title.
On her current running form that would probably be a tactic worth trying, but then Warriner hasn't survived to be one of the most experienced athletes on the world circuit by resting on her running laurels.
So since winning the Hungary world cup race three weeks ago - a result that has boosted her world ranking to No.2 and underlined her status as the reigning national champion - Warriner has taken her training to yet another level.
With startling results.
Several focused swim sessions and yet more specialised running trainings have seen her clock two personal bests in time trials.
She has spent hours agonisingly planning her transitions from one discipline to the next, and reckons she has discovered a few precious seconds to save there as well.
The upshot: Warriner is quicker.
"We did some time trials in the pool and I did some PBs (personal bests) there. That's really promising but it was in the pool - obviously open water is a different kettle of fish," Warriner said. "I did a great run session last Friday, another PB there as well. I just think it is all the base work I did back home that is starting to pay off now. The transition work might give me five or six seconds on the other girls, that might be enough."
Even with such mind-numbing attention to detail and dedication to training, Warriner is still going to be forced to chase this weekend though.
Her two greatest rivals - Vanessa Fernandez from Portugal and Australian Emma Snowsill - are in the elite women's field, as is one of her most strident Kiwi rivals Debbie Tanner.
Fernandez, the world No.1, Snowsill has won three of the last four world championships.
"Definitely Vanessa is No.1. She is the one to beat. Being ranked No.2 doesn't mean much really. It means I get to choose a nice spot on the starting pontoon and that's about it."
There are several reasons for Warriner to be upbeat when she lines up on Sunday morning (NZ time) though. Her form this season is impeccable, underscored by her record-breaking run leg on her way to winning the Vancouver world cup race.
She has also won at Hamburg before, and knows the intricacies of a technical cycle leg well. The run is flat and will be fast.
Northland's representation in Hamburg is not restricted to Warriner either.
Maungaturoto's Kelly Bruce is lining up in the elite women's under-23 race and Lee Greer in the men's 20-24 age-group race. Catherine Anton is in the 30-35 age-group event and Nicola Gray in the 20-24 category.