Hewitt, Vidal share glory in tough final

Andrea Hewitt and Laurent Vidal are partners in life and also shared the titles at the final round of the national triathlon series in Wellington on Saturday.

Hewitt (Christchurch) and Vidal (France) won their respective races, with national standard distance and ITU Oceania honours on the line.

Although Vidal is not eligible to claim the New Zealand or Oceania titles, the pair won in similar style, each overcoming world-class opposition in the final stages of the 10km run in blustery conditions.

Vidal first kicked clear of Australian Peter Robertson early in the run and then New Zealander Kris Gemmell at the 8km mark, while Hewitt shook Nicky Samuels and then Debbie Tanner to claim her first national title.

The key moment in the women's race occurred late on the bike, however, when Nicky Samuels, Debbie Tanner and Hewitt broke clear of a group of three others, including Wellington's Kate McIlroy. The world-class trio led by 52 seconds heading into the run and from that point the others were chasing the minor money.

Hewitt was delighted to claim her first national title in tough conditions.

"I am really, really happy with that today. It is my first Olympic distance race this year so this is great. Conditions were tough, the wind was in our faces on the way out but great on the way back each lap on the bike and the run."

Hewitt explained the surprising move on the bike when it looked as though a lead group of eight would stay together.

"It was on the last lap on the bike and Nicky went for it into the wind. First no-one followed but then Debbie and I went and we got a gap on the rest and hung on and then took some turns to make that lead bigger." The day was a tough one for Samuels, after the Wanaka triathlete suffered a cut to her foot during the run, caused by the lining of her shoe. Samuels removed the shoe and ran barefoot, only to be penalised one minute upon finishing.

Under ITU rules a triathlete cannot compete barefoot at any time during the run leg.

The one-minute penalty saw Samuels still finish third in the elite category, albeit just five seconds ahead of McIlroy.

World No6 Laurent Vidal was beaming after the race, confirming his love of New Zealand, describing himself again as 49 per cent Kiwi.

The 26-year-old is not eligible to take the titles but saw the irony in his win.

"No, I am not eligible to win either title today but I have not won a European championship and here I am coming first in another continental title. It is cool.

"I felt good at the 4km mark and Kris is such a good athlete, he knows what he is doing so I have to watch him. But at six kilometres I was feeling good and decided I have to go. The first surge Kris answered but the second time was the good one, then I made the gap and managed to keep it."

Gemmell was a comfortable second across the line ahead of Ryan Sissons who raced superbly to win the under-23 title ahead of a horde of Australians, with Ben Pattle a superb fifth overall and third in the elite men.

Gemmell was pleased with his work: "I have no complaints today; Laurent was just too good and had the edge in speed over the final few kilometres. I felt really great, strong the whole way and felt like I could run at that pace for another hour.

"But I didn't have the speed today which is typical for me coming down from altitude. This will set me up nicely though for the first world champs series race in Sydney next month so I am happy enough."

- NZPA