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| Andrea Hewitt finishes just behind Riveros Diaz (Photo: Delly Carr / ITU) |
New Zealand triathlete Andrea Hewitt has started her World Championship season with a superb second at the opening round in Sydney today, finishing just one metre behind first time winner Barbara Riveros from Chile.
Hewitt looked in fantastic form as she outran world number one Emma Moffatt for silver but came up just short of a season opening victory in the first of 7 races in the Dextro Energy World Champs Series, being credited with the same finish time as Riveros.
Hewitt was delighted with a win that capped off a great double for New Zealand after Bevan Docherty won the men's race.
"That race today was so tough, the swim was bunched without too much going on and we came out of the water with a big group on the bike. The ride was tough up the hill each time but we got a breather coming down to the waterfront each time.
"The run was also so hard and a bit different. Last year Emma would run so quick at the start but this course with the hill right at the start kept a few of us together. I hung tough each lap and by the end was just hanging in there as best I could and gave it everything on the sprint.
"This is a great start to the year, just fantastic."
As expected American's Laura Bennett and Sarah Haskins led out the water with young Kiwi Teresa Adam impressing in her debut World Championship event as she emerged third out of the water.
However, unlike the men's race when there were a number of attempted and ultimately one successful break on the bike, the women were largely content to ride together in one large bunch, with all the leading contenders safely there for the ride.
The real action began early on the run with Lisa Norden (SWE) and Moffatt (AUS) leading the field up McQuarrie Street for the first time with Kiwis Hewitt and Debbie Tanner safely in the lead group of 13.
Slowly but surely that group was whittled down with Tanner one of the first to feel the heat but Hewitt was one of four heading into the final lap clear of the field. Moffatt was prominent with Hewitt along with Riveros and Mariko Adachi (JPN).
The four ran the final lap together until Adachi was the first to crack, leaving Riveros, Hewitt and Moffatt to sprint home in that order.
Of the other Kiwis Tanner held on for 16th place while Nicky Samuels raced consistently all day for 21st and there was an encouraging debut for young Teresa Adam in 31st. 19 year old Rebecca Kingsford raced well on her debut at this level of the sport, finishing down the field but performing well according to National Coach Greg Fraine. Kate McIlroy pulled out shortly after the start of the 10k run with an injury she has carried for a few weeks that led to her not starting in Mooloolaba a fortnight ago. The final placing for Rebecca Kingsford was not available at the time of release.
ITU Dextro Energy World Champs Series, Sydney
Elite Women
| 1. | Barbara Riveros | CHI | 2:04:19 |
| 2. | Andrea Hewitt | NZL | 2:04:19 |
| 3. | Emma Moffatt | AUS | 2:04:20 |
| 4. | Mariko Adachi | JPN | 2:04:30 |
| 5. | Lisa Norden | SWE | 2:04:48 |
| 6. | Kate Roberts | RSA | 2:04:49 |
| 7. | Jessica Harrison | FRA | 2:05:01 |
| 8. | Sarah Haskins | USA | 2:05:01 |
| 9. | Daniela Ryf | SWI | 2:05:06 |
| 10. | Vicky Holland | GBR | 2:05:16 |
Dextro Energy World Championship Standings
Elite Women - Top Five
| 1. | Barbara Riveros | CHI | 800 points |
| 2. | Andrea Hewitt | NZL | 740 points |
| 3. | Emma Moffatt | AUS | 685 points |
| 4. | Mariko Adachi | JPN | 633 points |
| 5. | Lisa Norden | SWE | 586 point |
