Multisport: Injuries deplete Kiwi hopes

Injuries to three top New Zealanders have dashed hopes of a dominant local showing in the elite women's field at this year's triathlon ironman championship in Taupo.

New Zealand's Jo Lawn, the defending champion, goes into the event on March 5 as top seed but there is now a distinctly international look about the other seeded athletes, headed by talented Briton Bella Comerford.

Among the athletes sidelined through injury is last year's runner-up, Lynley Allison, with a troublesome hip injury.

Karyn Balance, winner in 2002, is also out after struggling with injury since finishing second in Ironman Western Australia, and Fiona Docherty, who was to carry Taupo hopes after her encouraging third on debut in Western Australia, was forced out with a stress fracture.

"As you can imagine, I am really disappointed given I felt my training was right on track and I was happy with my progress," said Docherty, sister of world triathlon champion Bevan.

Lawn can expect a tough race in the Bonita-sponsored event, with Comerford and training partner Monica Caplan (US) leading the charge.

In four starts over the ultimate triathlon distance, Comerford won three and finished second in the other. She is regarded as an exceptional athlete who came into the sport from an equestrian background.

Comerford and Caplan are based in Boulder, Colorado, where they are coached by ironman legend Dave Scott. Caplan beat Comerford in last month's Auckland half-ironman.

Ironically, Lawn has quit her Boulder base to return to Auckland with husband Armando Galarraga - they were married two days after last year's race. The couple now juggle Auckland and Taupo as their training bases.

"The training environment is great here in New Zealand and after so long away, it's nice to be back," said Lawn.

New Zealand does have a second seed in the field with Japanese-born, Auckland-based Yoko Hori now competing under the New Zealand flag. She is third seed - sandwiched between Comerford and Caplan.

Australian Susan Peter comes here as the winner of Ironman Malaysia and a record of never being outside the top seven in 10 events.

Debutante Andrea Ratkovic will attract some interest. Seeded eighth, the American has run a 2h 34m marathon, is a four-time US duathlon champion and twice trialled for the US Olympic cycling team.

In a late blow to organisers, top-ranked Australian Jason Shortis - second seed behind defending men's champion Cameron Brown - has withdrawn after losing six weeks of training because of injury and illness.

Women's seeds

1 Jo Lawn (NZ)
2 Bella Comerford (Britain)
3 Yoki Hori (NZ)
4 Monica Caplan (US)
5 Jess Draskau-Petersson (Britain)
6 Susan Peter (Australia)
7 Naomi Imaizumi (Japan)
8 Andrea Ratkovic (US)
9 Paula Salazar (Chile)