Ishigaki ITU Results

Ishigaki ITU Results

New Zealand has enjoyed wonderful success at the Ishigaki International Triathlon Union World Cup race in Japan with an incredible six top-ten placings in the men's and women's races today.

Former World Champion Bevan Docherty led the way with second place in a hotly contested men's race but he did not lack for Kiwi company with Kris Gemmell in third and Shane Reed in fourth.

Docherty was delighted, especially as others didn't pull their weight on the bike.

"I'm really happy with my race today, especially given the way it played out. The swim was interesting to say the least with the conditions playing a huge part. Three got away on the bike and were clearly working well together. Our chasing bunch was a different story though with too many not doing the work. I finished up yelling and screaming at a few to no avail and was left with quite a chase on the run."

Docherty then proceeded to run down all but Australian Courtney Atkinson and dragged Gemmell and Reed through with him.

"Courtney (Atkinson) seems to own this race, i think he has won it four times now and he went well again today. But I am really pleased with my race and how strong I was feeling on the run home. It has been another good day for me and for the New Zealanders as a whole."

Meanwhile in the women's race a courageous effort from Debbie Tanner to defend her title may have ultimately fallen short but it has nonetheless confirmed her place on the world stage amongst the very best in the world in a race where the silver fern crossed the line three times inside the top ten for the second consecutive World Cup race.

Tanner exited the water in 19th, almost one minute down on the leaders but rode superbly well to put herself in contention ahead of her favoured run leg. In a fascinating duel Tanner then went stride for stride with world number one Emma Snowsill (Australia) and number three Vanessa Fernandez (Portugal).

Fernandez went on to run clear of the chasing Antipodean athletes in the final few kilometres, with Snowsill second and a strong finishing Tanner clear in third place.

Tanner lost nothing in comparison to her more illustrious opponents today and while disappointed not to win, is thrilled with a podium finish.

"I'm wrapped with today's effort, it was a tough race out here with the top in the world competing and I am happy to be on the podium in third. Conditions were all over the place, we had all sorts including what appeared to be a monsoon this morning. They had to move transition and finally it stopped raining and the weather turned very hot."

Tanner had an average swim but was pleased with the bike and run today.

"We worked pretty hard on the bike and it paid off with our group catching the leaders and then it came down to the run alongside the best in the world. I held on for 8km but I am so pleased with today knowing that I have plenty left in the tank yet for bigger races later in the year."

In a great race for the Kiwis, Samantha Warriner enjoyed a strong bike and run leg to finish 4th, closely followed by team mate Andrea Hewitt in 7th. Nicky Samuels struggled today in the hot conditions and finished 32nd. Carmel Hanley failed to finish after dropping more than three minutes off the pace in the swim leg.

NZ Triathlon High Performance Director Stephen Farrell was delighted with the results, especially given the freakish conditions.

"Today is superb and a great illustration of our depth and current standing in a truly global sport of some significance. The conditions were interesting to say the least with the most unusual swim I think I have ever seen. The tide at one point had a large group of swimmers in the men's race pushed wide and under the marker buoys forcing them to fight the tide back to get on course. Tony Dodds was one of the athletes caught out by this and he never recovered before pulling out. It was the craziest thing you will ever see in a swim."

Ishigaki ITU World Cup - Women

1 Vanessa Fernandez Portugal 2.04.16

2 Emma Snowsill Australia 2.04.34

3 Debbie Tanner New Zealand 2.04.51

4 Samantha Warriner New Zealand 2.05.51

5 Emma Moffat Australia 2.06.01

Plus

7 Andrea Hewitt New Zealand 2.06.22

32 Nicky Samuels New Zealand 2.11.10

DNF Carmel Hanley New Zealand

Ishigaki ITU World Cup - Men

1 Courtney Atkinson Australia 1.53.27

2 Bevan Docherty New Zealand 1.54.13

3 Kris Gemmell New Zealand 1.54.26

4 Shane Reed New Zealand 1.54.31

5 Colucci Reinaldo Brazil 1.54.34

Plus

33 Ben Pulham New Zealand 1.57.31

34 James Elvery New Zealand 1.57.33

DNF Tony Dodds New Zealand

ENDS

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