Docherty - by four seconds

It was billed as the Docherty versus Carter sequel.

And the two Olympians didn't disappoint.

But it was Taupo's Olympic silver medallist Docherty who edged out Olympic champion Hamish Carter to win the national triathlon championships in an exciting showdown at Kinloch yesterday.

As the local lad headed down the last 50m towards the finish line Docherty repeatedly glanced over his shoulder as if expecting Carter to launch a speedy last-minute assault.

The late attack never came and Docherty won in 1h 52m 47s - four seconds faster than Carter.

While the pleasure of winning was clear, Docherty was quick to put the race in perspective six weeks out from the Commonwealth Games.

Docherty said the result would mean little if he was not successful at the Commonwealth Games.

"The aim is six weeks away so I'll be bringing things up another level. There's still a long way to go yet."

The 28-year-old said it was a "hoot" to perform in front of a home crowd, but admitted he was nervous going into the race having felt "pretty average" over the last few weeks.

"I needed a race like this to lift me.

"Hamish and I feed off each other and we both had a solid race. I knew I had the speed and it was just a waiting game."

Docherty said his first triathlon was in Taupo, so he felt there was some personal satisfaction in winning the national race on home ground.

The Commonwealth Games-bound duo hit the front midway through the 10km run before Docherty outsprinted Carter.

In his first race since finishing fourth at the world championships last September, Carter was pleased with his effort.

"That first race back is always hard. I felt quite strong on the bike and the run. I don't usually run that well in my first race," Carter said.

"This is a great launching pad for the next six weeks."

Taranaki's Clark Ellice was third as New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team enjoyed a strong hitout ahead of next month's race in Melbourne, with Whangarei's Samantha Warriner also winning the women's title.

Her Melbourne-bound teammate Andrea Hewitt was second, with Canadian Jill Savege third.

Canadian Colin Edwards and Gisborne veteran Stephen Sheldrake tested the talented field when they pushed clear on the three-lap 40km bike, opening up an advantage of one minute 30 seconds.

Carter and Docherty were well positioned in the main chase pack and hauled back 40s on the first of four laps on the run around Kinloch.

They were joined by defending champion, Ellice, 23, as they hauled in the Canadian midway through the run, before Docherty outkicked Carter for the win.

Warriner joined Hewitt, of Christchurch, Games reserve Nicky Samuels, of Whangarei, and Savege in a breakaway pack on the bike as they opened a 5 minute lead over the chasers.

Warriner, the world No 7, broke clear early on the run to win in 2h 4m 17s, more than 1m clear of world under-23 champion Hewitt, with Savege 150m back in third.

"I was not happy with my swim but the four of us worked well together on the bike," Warriner said.