Triathlon: Samuels still awaiting word on Games appeal

Triathlete Nicky Samuels missed the original selection but remains team relay reserve. Photo / Getty Images

Triathlete Nicky Samuels' chances of representing New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games remain in limbo as a decision on her appeal is still pending, 10 days after the team was named.

Samuels missed the original selection in which Andrea Hewitt, Kate McIlroy, Ryan Sissons, Tony Dodds and Tom Davison were named — but remains team relay reserve.

The 31-year-old returned to the Triathlon New Zealand 'podium squad' in November; a group seen as tracking towards a podium finish at the 2016 Olympics. However, a finish outside the top eight — she came 16th — at this month's Auckland world series event left her selection to the discretion of the four-person panel, headed by TriNZ high performance director Graeme Maw.

Maw was unable to comment because the appeals process is under way; Samuels could not be contacted via phone or email.

Sources suggested one reason behind the decision might be a reluctance by Samuels to work as a domestique helping Hewitt — the best medal prospect who qualified for Glasgow automatically with an eighth-place in the world series final in London last year — or McIlroy during the race.

Their legs could be protected for the run by drafting off a fellow New Zealander on the bike.

A strong rider like Samuels — the 2012 national road racing champion — could help haul in breakaway groups.

However, just six Commonwealth athletes were ahead of the 14th-ranked Samuels last season, meaning she might consider contesting the race on her own. The 15th-ranked McIlroy remains an unknown quantity after heel surgery last year.

A co-ordinated men's race plan has seen Davison selected to support Sissons.

In Auckland this month, Sissons was the fourth-slowest race finisher in the swim but Davison helped him recover on the bike.

Sissons eventually came sixth. Davison was rewarded for his selflessness.

A similar concept succeeded at the Beijing Olympics where Shane Reed's efforts helped Bevan Docherty to a bronze medal.

The mixed relay is viewed as New Zealand's best medal chance at Glasgow. The quartet of Hewitt, McIlroy, Sissons and Dodds earned silver at last year's world championships in Hamburg, behind the hosts and ahead of the US.

Meanwhile, Hewitt's partner, Laurent Vidal remained in an induced coma last night after suffering a heart attack training on Friday. Hewitt was due to arrive at his bedside this morning.