Kiwi Andrea Hewitt has continued her strong season by finishing fourth at the Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series in Hamburg, Germany this morning (NZT).
Hewitt fought hard from start to finish in a race where first, second and third were all Australian, and all named Emma.
Emma Moffatt won in a time of 1:53:37 with fellow countrywomen Emma Jackson and Emma Snowsill both crossing the line together just seven seconds behind her.
Hewitt's impressive fourth means she remains third in overall series rankings. There's a shake-up at the top though with Chile's Barbara Riveros Diaz (5th) overtaking Canada's Paula Findlay, who did not race Hamburg.
It was a hugely positive result for 29-year-old Hewitt going into New Zealand's Olympic selection race in London next month.
"While you always want to win, fourth here is a solid result for me with the London selection race just a few weeks away," Hewitt said.
"London is what everything's focussed on so it's nice to know I'm in pretty good form heading into that."
Kate McIlroy had an impressive swim/bike and was among the lead run group before pulling out with two laps to go, looking in some discomfort.
Debbie Tanner was also near the front on the swim and throughout the bike but faded during the run to end up 25th overall.
New Zealand's fourth athlete, Rebecca Spence pulled out on the bike after coming out of the water near the back.
The race got underway with a wetsuit swim which was dominated by Great Britain's Lucy Hall. McIlroy pushed the pace early before Tanner surged towards the front on the final lap of the 1.5km swim.
Two large packs quickly formed on the bike with a lead group of 35 athletes including Tanner, McIlroy and Hewitt. The pack stayed together for all eight laps of the 40km bike course with no one making a genuine breakaway, content to leave their efforts for the run.
McIlroy had a great transition off the bike, heading out onto the run in the top five with Hewitt and Tanner close behind along with more than 30 other women. Hewitt quickly caught up to the lead pack, running alongside McIlroy for around a kilometre before pushing the pace along with the three Aussies.
With two laps to go, McIlroy pulled out of the race while Moffatt cranked into top gear with Hewitt, Jackson and Snowsill unable to match the pace.
For more information and full results go to www.triathlon.org.
Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series: Hamburg, Germany
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Elite Women's Results
1. Emma Moffatt (AUS) 1:53:37
2. Emma Jackson (AUS) 1:53:44
3. Emma Snowsill (AUS) 1:53:44
4. Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 1:53:59
5. Barbara Riveros Diaz 1:54:32
Plus Kiwis
25. Debbie Tanner (NZL) 1:56:16
DNF Kate McIlroy (NZL)
DNF Rebecca Spence (NZL)
