Triathlon partners too good

New Zealand's Andrea Hewitt and her French boyfriend Laurent Vidal proved too strong in Wanaka last night, taking out the women's and men's triathlon events in the lakeside town.

Coming back down from the New Zealand high-performance team's altitude camp at nearby Snow Farm in the Cardrona Valley, Hewitt belied her tired legs to outsprint Rachel Klamer of Holland.

The pair were part of a four-woman breakaway on the bike which included fellow New Zealander Debbie Tanner and Holland's Danne Boterenbrood.

A strong onshore wind pushed up significant swells on Lake Wanaka, and Hewitt – who opted to swim without goggles – had problems picking out the buoy.

Despite that the Olympics-bound athlete looked comfortable on the bike and then was able to fend off Klamer up the finishing chute after the Dutchwoman worked hard to catch her on the run. Tanner came in third.

The men's race featured a big breakaway of riders which included the strong New Zealand trio of Wanaka local Tony Dodds, Kris Gemmell and Ryan Sissons.

Vidal, the world No 4, was able to sit out of the wind on the ride after Dodds, who had again persuaded local businesses to bump the prizemoney up close to $10,000 to ensure a quality field, led out of the water and then through the transition into the run.

To the delight of a big crowd on the Lake Wanaka waterfront, Dodds led the race through the town on the first lap.

Heading into the final lap, however, the Frenchman had opened up a 20m lead which he was able to hold until the finish, with Sissons second and Dodds third.

Vidal, who counts himself 49 per cent Kiwi, said the prizemoney he and Hewitt won would come in handy for the Christchurch-based pair after the Canterbury earthquakes.

Southland's Robert Huisman was also part of the leading bunch on the bike, while fellow Southlander Troy McAlister was only just behind throughout the bike leg despite competing against the elite men for the first time at this level.

A 20-strong contingent of Southland junior triathletes were prominent in the 3:9:3 race earlier in the afternoon with Invercargill's Liam Cullen, 13, winning the men's race and Waikaka's Will Sutherland finishing second overall and first in the future stars category.

Winton's Laura Robson was second in the girls future stars section.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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