Elvery sends Olympic reminder

New Zealand triathlete James Elvery has sent a timely reminder to Shane Reed and Terenzo Bozzone that the race for the third and final spot on the New Zealand team at the Beijing Olympics is far from a two horse race with a fourth place finish in the Vina Del Mar, an American Continental Cup race in Chile.

Sunday’s result was an incredible one for 23 year old Elvery given the three day journey via Sydney, Bangkok, Dubai, Sau Paulo and Santiago left him jet lagged and wide awake from 1am on the day of the race.

Elvery was also surprised at the quality of the field.

“The competition was stronger than I was expecting with the entire Mexican team here trying to get their country a place in the Olympics, and other strong athletes from South America, Japan and the US.”

Elvery swam well exiting the water in the lead group and felt strong enough to mount an attack with a Mexican athlete on the bike, one that ultimately failed to see the two kick clear of the field.

“I had a good swim, came out in the front group. The pace wasn’t really on in the bike so I attacked for ten kilometres with a Mexican before we were swallowed up at the halfway mark. It perhaps wasn’t the smartest move, but it was worth a try. Off the bike four of us ran away from the pack and stayed together until seven and a half kilometres. At this point I just couldn't go with the others' pace with no session work in me yet. I felt fine, but just couldn’t go any faster.

Elvery then ‘jogged’ home under no pressure from behind to secure a comfortable fourth place, saving his legs for next week when he will race in Argentina, an event that will bring a few different challenges to those normally faced on race day by the world’s elite triathletes.

“Next week we race in a place called La Paz, which is about 600 kilometres north of Buenos Aires. We swim in the river Paranha and I’ve been told to watch out for the 'toothpick fish' a parasitic fish that swims up the penis and holds on with barbs while eating its way inside. They must be surgically removed. I'm not sure what would be worse, that or swimming into a bunch of Piranhas!”

The race was won by Juraci Moriera from Brazil, 2nd was Leonardo Chacon of Costa Rica, and 3rd was Manuel Huerta of the US, I was 4th and Francisco Serrano of Mexico was 5th.

The result is likely to move Elvery inside the top 75 on the ITU rankings and up to fifth ranked New Zealander. He will now race in Argentina this coming weekend before continuing his preparation for bigger races later in the year, including the Mooloolaba World Cup race in late March that will double as the final Olympic qualifying race for the New Zealand team and the New Plymouth World Cup in early April.


American Continental Cup Race

Vina Del Mar, Chile


1 Juraci Moriera Brazil

2 Leonardo Chacon Costa Rica

3 Manual Huerta USA

4 James Elvery NZL

5 Francisco Serrano Mexico