Multisport: Mixed blessings for US triathlete

World no 1 Hunter Kemper has mixed feelings about Hamish Carter's decision to bypass today's season-ending ITU World Cup triathlon in New Plymouth.

On the one hand Kemper would love the chance to go head to head with the Olympic champion. On the other he knows that, with Carter watching from the sideline, his chances of winning and picking up the lion's share of the US$150,000 stake are infinitely better.

"Hamish is a really talented athlete but without him here I have one less to worry about," said American Kemper. "I would have liked to race him but I still have another New Zealander to worry about.

"As the Olympic silver medallist Bevan Docherty will be a threat. I have heard he is coming into some good form."

Kemper also sees the race as another chance to put his disappointing ninth place in Athens behind him. Unlike Docherty and New Zealand's other hopes - including elite woman Sam Warriner who are aiming their major efforts at being on song for next year's Commonwealth Games - Kemper has today's race at picturesque Ngamutu Beach as his most pressing goal.

"To hold on to my No 1 status and pick up the US$25,000 for retaining it at the end of the year would be great," said Kemper who has topped the rankings since April and goes into today's race over the Olympic distance of 1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run with a handy 50-point lead over Englishman Tim Don. Don has won three times (in six starts) on the circuit this year.

Kemper and Don will face plenty of challengers, including Australians Brad Kahlefeldt and Courtney Atkinson, who won in Japan earlier in the year, Andy Potts (US), also a winner in 2005, and locals Doherty, Shane Reed, Kris Gemmell and Clark Ellice.

The late arrival of Australian world champion Emma Snowsill has added spice to the women's race.

Snowsill, who followed up her win at the world championships in Queenstown in late 2003 with victory in this year's championship in Japan, is the only challenger to world No 1, fellow Australian Annabel Luxford, who has one hand out already for the big first-prize cheque.

For Luxford to miss out, she would have to finish outside the top nine today and would still only be headed if Snowsill won.

Warriner carries local hopes and has an outside chance of a top- three finish on the rankings but would need to win - something she has managed twice this year compared to Luxford's sole triumph in Hungary - and hope that other placings go her way.

Warriner and Docherty have been critical of what they see as an easy bike course which does not help their chances, but organisers say their hands were tied as the other option was deemed too dangerous.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY