Triathlon: NZ struggle with injury and illness

Illness and injury weakened New Zealand's performance at the inaugural Team Triathlon world championship event in Des Moines, Iowa, today.

Switzerland surprised with a superb victory, showing the benefit of experience in European club racing where team relays are reasonably common.

The Swiss edged out hot favourites Australia with Canada third. The New Zealand teams were sixth and ninth overall.

Andrea Hewitt showed her fighting qualities and experience in this type of team racing in Europe, leading home current world No 1 Emma Moffatt (Australia) in the first leg, producing a sprint finish to give Kris Gemmell a one-second lead.

Gemmell struggled to find any spark in his legs though after yesterday's ITU World Cup exertions, with Courtney Atkinson (Australia) and Brent McMahon (Canada) nudging ahead by the second changeover.

Sam Warriner was next for New Zealand, but was clearly still struggling with the after-effects of the bike crash she suffered just over a fortnight ago. She slowly lost touch with the leaders as New Zealand slipped down the field to sixth with Bevan Docherty tagged to bring them home.

Docherty, like Warriner before him, was not at his best following an illness that saw him withdraw from the Washington world championship race a week ago, as well as yesterday's Des Moines World Cup event.

He could make little impression on the teams in front, eventually coming home sixth.

The second New Zealand team performed well, with Kate McIlroy, Clark Ellice and Rebecca Spence placed seventh at the final changeover.

Ryan Sissons brought the young number two team home in ninth.

Triathlon New Zealand national coach Greg Fraine said timing had not been kind to New Zealand in an event he had targeted a medal in.

"The gods have not smiled on us today but we remain hugely positive about this format of racing, it has the potential to suit us and provide more opportunities at world and hopefully Olympic level.

"Our issue was one of timing. Sam's crash and Bevan's illness have obviously come at the wrong time," Fraine said.

"In this type of racing if you aren't 100 per cent you are going to be off the pace. It was relentless all race and seconds at crucial moments can make or break your chances."

Fraine said the second New Zealand team had also contested the event well.

"We saw a fantastic effort from the second team, each of whom raced well in top class company. Kate McIlroy once again stepped up to lead the team away well, as she has all weekend. It was a very solid effort from a young team."

- NZPA