Review of NZ Triathlon results

Taryn McLeod has finished 16th in the latest round of the ITU World Cup in Hungary today. It was the first World Cup in 2008 for McLeod as she continues on her recovery from illness last year.

Elsewhere Gina Ferguson has become the first New Zealand woman to finish an Ironman in under nine hours in finishing third at the Roth Challenge in Germany. Ferguson’s times makes her the quickest New Zealander in Ironman history, edging out Ironman New Zealand champion Jo Lawn for that honour.

Kieran Doe failed to finish the event in the men’s elite field. (Full details are available in an earlier release courtesy of Ian Heppenstall, including a podium image of Gina Ferguson – also available at www.triathlon.org.nz).

Lawn herself competed in the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in America today, finishing a creditable 12th in a rare start over the Olympic distance event in a world class field. The race was won by one of the Olympic favourites in Australian Emma Snowsill from Americans Sarah Haskins and Becky Lavelle.

Meanwhile in Ireland Tony Dodds was the best of the Kiwis in 6th place at the ITU European Cup race at Athlone. The NZ U23 champion ran strongly to pass a number of athletes in the final lap of the 10km run, with Graham O’Grady in 7th and Blair Jordan in 10th, Ben Pattle 16th, Caleb Hill 19th and Liam Scopes 22nd.

Rebecca Spence finished 8th in the elite women’s race.

ITU World Cup, Hungary

Elite Women

1 Andrea Whitcombe (GBR) 2:02:47

2 Felicity Abram (AUS) 2:03:33

3 Mariana Ohata (BRA) 2:04:06

Plus

16 Taryn McLeod (NZL) 2:10:11

Lifetime Fitness Triathlon, Minneapolis

Elite Women

1 Emma Snowsill (AUS) 1:58:04

2 Sarah Haskins (USA) 2:00:36

3 Becky Lavelle (USA) 2:01:19

Plus

12 Joanna Lawn (NZL) 2:09:33

ITU European Cup, Athlone, Ireland

Elite Men

1 Vincent Luis (FRA) 1:48:51

2 Aurelien Raphael (FRA) 1:48:52

3 Aaron Farlow (AUS) 1:48:52

Plus

6 Tony Dodds (NZL) 1:49:41

7 Graham O’Grady (NZL) 1:50:21

10 Blair Jordan (NZL) 1:50:53

16 Ben Pattle (NZL) 1:52:25

19 Caleb Hill (NZL) 1:53:35

22 Liam Scopes (NZL) 1:54:20

Elite Women

1 Lenka Zemanova (CZE) 2:01:20

2 Emma Davis (IRL) 2:01:50

3 Felicity Sheedy-Ryan (AUS) 2:02:32

Plus

8 Rebecca Spence (NZL) 2:08:04