Tanner second in Hamburg World Cup race

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(L-R): Debbie Tanner, Vanessa Fernandes and Laura Bennett (USA) on the podium in Hamburg

MEDIA RELEASE
11 September 2006
For immediate release

Tanner second in Hamburg World Cup race

Just one week on from the World Championships in Lausanne, one of New Zealand’s top triathletes, Debbie Tanner, has come in second at an International Triathlon Union (ITU) BG World Cup race in Hamburg, Germany.

After an exciting run leg, Tanner finished the race with a time of 1:53:22, just 11 seconds behind the winner, Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal. Fellow New Zealander Samantha Warriner finished in eighth place with a time of 1:55:42.

In the men’s elite race, New Zealander Bevan Docherty finished fourth with a time of 1:43:24.

Tanner said she had a fantastic swim and found herself in the front pack during the difficult cycle leg, but the run was where the competition really kicked in.

“It was really exciting to get out there and be up there on the run and be able to contest it,” Tanner said.

“I was running in front for the first two laps but then decided to take a step back and let her [Fernandes] go. That was probably where she decided to push and she really went for it.

“I tried to close it down a couple of times but really all credit to her - it was fantastic running.”

Tanner said she was pleased with her race after a disappointment at the ITU World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland last week, where she finished 23rd after a fall during the cycle leg.

“I crashed out on the first lap last weekend at the World Champs but I really enjoyed it out here and am really delighted with my performance,” Tanner said.

She said she was pleased to have a good result in the Hamburg race - the first of 15 World Cup events in the build up to the 2007 Championships which will also be held in Hamburg.

“It was great to come second in Hamburg – the crowd were really great and it’s good to come and test the course ahead of the World Champs next year.”

For more information on Hamburg visit www.triathlon.org.

ENDS

NOTE: Broadcast quality footage is available at ftp://anonymous.triathlon.org/

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