Simply Stunning Silver And Bronze for the Kiwis in Stockholm

Simply Stunning Silver And Bronze for the Kiwis in Stockholm

Stockholm proved a happy hunting ground for the New Zealanders as Andrea Hewitt and Nicky Samuels won silver and bronze in the latest round of the ITU World Triathlon Series, results that propel both athletes into the world’s top ten in a rare moment with two Kiwi athletes on the same WTS podium.

The sprint distance race was won by Sarah Groff (USA), a first victory for the American that moves her to second in the overall world rankings behind countrywoman Gwen Jorgensen.

It was for Hewitt a first World Triathlon Series podium in three years and the Christchurch athlete looks in strong shape at the business end of the season as she moves to 5th on the world rankings.

“I was so happy, three years since my last podium - that is a lot of time. Today was so hard, I just kept pushing and pushing and that sprint at the end up the hill was so tough. It was ideal for the Kiwis, we got out of the swum in the front group and we just kept pushing and pushing and our group was working really well together, we kept putting time into the second group and then on to the run, it was tough. We were only ten in that front group at the end so there weren’t many of us and we kept working to get that time going into the run.”

For Nicky Samuels it was a career best performance in a World Triathlon Series event and a first podium that propels the Wanaka athlete to 9th on the world rankings ahead of next week’s Grand Final in Edmonton.

“This sort of course really suits us, the crisp cold water that sort of pains the face and then the rain on the bike and a tough run. I am coming into great shape now which is good timing especially with the World Series final next weekend so hopefully I can hold it together for that. Not often you get two Kiwis on the podium so yeah, it was a really good day.”

That wasn’t the end of the good news for the Kiwis though with Simone Ackermann (Whangarei) posting another solid performance as she makes her way in the top level for the first time this year, finishing 19th on the back of a strong sub 17 minute run over the 5km distance. Rebecca Clarke (Auckland) finished 28th.

In the men’s race Tony Dodds (Wanaka) had his final hit out before the Edmonton Grand Final next week with a solid 14th place finish while young Sam Ward (Auckland) came home in 37th as he continues to adapt to racing in elite company at just 19 years of age.

For the ITU Review and link to results and world rankings, CLICK HERE

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