"There was a three-to-four month bloc last year when I struggled with training. No one could work it out. It was not worth operating on but I've had someone work on my nerves which has helped a lot."
Other finishing positions also drew interest in how they influence the Triathlon New Zealand selectors who are expected to meet today. In the men's race Bevan Docherty was the second best Kiwi finishing 12th. As the best-placed New Zealand man on the London course in August (15th), and having won a silver and a bronze at previous Olympics, his Games place looks assured.
"I feel I have done well enough to justify selection," Docherty says. "My focus is on having a good Olympic campaign in August."
If selected for London, Docherty is still keen to race on his own rather than kowtowing to talk of possible team tactics that might prevent him completing a clean sweep of each Olympic medal colour.
"I don't think they [team tactics] are going to be applied. It hasn't been discussed with me. I'm not looking at that avenue. The nature of the [flat] London course means you'll get little assistance from others working for you."
The third spot will create more debate. Ryan Sissons is likely to get the nod as the next best (28th) behind Gemmell (23rd) and Docherty (25th) on the Olympic rankings. The 23-year-old is also the recipient of a New Zealand Olympic Committee scholarship worth $35,000, meaning he's viewed as a future talent. A cryptic message on his Twitter account: "London. Well deserved. Now for some recovery." might also offer a hint.
Sissons crashed on the bike yesterday, injuring his nose and suffering further facial cuts and bruises. His main competition for the third spot comes from of Clark Ellice who was the next best New Zealander yesterday in 26th.
The women's team will require more selection discretion than the men's. Nicky Samuels' 12th in Sydney (just 14s outside 8th) means she will be hard to leave out, especially after overcoming recent heart surgery. Debbie Tanner finished 20th and Kate McIlroy 27th.
Samuels is renowned as a swim/bike specialist - which could be used to assist Hewitt - and the second half of her run yesterday was slick. Samuels admitted she is open to talking team tactics. That could see her work for Hewitt to protect her legs for the run as the team's best medal prospect.
Alternatively, stronger riders might be assigned the job of hauling in any breakaway groups by reaching them and slowing them down which allows the peloton to catch up.
It is less likely on the flat London terrain but, with Samuels winning the national road racing championships this month, it could make her the perfect foil.
"Andrea's worked hard to get where she's at," Samuels says. "She's at a different level. I'd be happy to look at helping her get to the podium. My goal is still gold but it depends what plan the selectors come up with."
Samuels is the fourth-ranked New Zealand Olympic athlete at 35th behind McIlroy (19th) and Tanner (32nd). McIlroy is a conundrum. Her results last season were promising but she is believed to be suffering a recurring Achilles tendon injury which may count against her as the days to the Games tick down.
