Warriner picks up bronze in Austria

New Zealand’s leading female triathlete Sam Warriner picked up her 12th career podium finish in a World Cup, earning bronze at the Kitzbuehel race in Austria tonight NZT.

Warriner was quickly followed across the line by fellow Kiwi Andrea Hewitt in 4th place with Debbie Tanner finishing in 10th to round out a strong showing from the Beijing bound trio.

Wet and cool conditions greeted the athletes in a race that brought together 18 of the 55 athletes that will start in Beijing on August 18th, including all three of the New Zealanders.

Warriner was pleased with another medal but struggled in the cold conditions.

“This was one of those days when I didn’t fire, my swim was okay and I got in the lead group on the bike but then I got really cold for some reason. I’m not sure why, it is cold over here but I got really cold and off the bike got cramp in my calf muscle and couldn’t run as well as I had hoped. I’m pleased though to get a bronze at another world cup.

Like many of the Olympic bound competitors though, today was less about Austria and more about Beijing for Warriner.

“Today was all about role play and rehearsing the mental side of things before the Olympics. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great today but otherwise today has worked really well and served a great purpose.”

The shape of the race changed early as world number one Felicity Abram pulled out after the first lap of the swim. The Aussie was attempting to compete in three world cups in as many weeks and didn't have the energy to complete today's race. Swiss Magali Di marco led the women out of the water, followed closely by American Sarah Groff and German Christiane Pilz.

On the technical 40-kilometer bike course, two packs came together early to form a 19-woman lead group. After a surprisingly strong swim, the Swiss cycling powerhouse Spirig attempted to breakaway from the group at the start of the third of eight laps. But it wasn't a race breaker as Spirig rejoined the leader by the end of the lap. The lead pack of 19 women built a sizeable 2:30 lead through most of the bike portion. Notables in the chase group included Erin Densham of Australia, Ai Ueda of Japan, and Austrian Tania Haiboeck.

At the start of the 10-kilometer run, Luxembourg's Elizabeth May and Spirig immediately surged to the front and opened up a slight gap on the rest of the field. But Peon and Warriner bridged up to them by the end of the first lap. Of the four women, Spirig and Peon took command. As they took the bell lap, they owned a 20-second lead and would have to battle each other for the win. As they reached the final 200 meters, Spirig surged ahead and sprinted away for her second world cup title. Peon happily took the silver, equalling her best ever world cup performance from last year in Cancun. Warriner held on for the bronze, the 12th world cup medal of her career.

Kitzbühel BG Triathlon World Cup
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Elite Women - Unofficial Results
Gold - Nicola Spirig (SUI) 1:57:28
Silver - Carole Peon (FRA) 1:57:35
Bronze - Sam Warriner (NZL) 1:58:04 (Audio available at www.triathlon.org)
4th - Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 1:58:12.16
5th - Elizabeth May (LUX) 1:58:12.77
6th - Christiane Pilz (GER) 1:58:31
7th - Magali Di marco (SUI) 1:58 37
8th - Ainhoa Murua (ESP) 1:58:54
9th - Andrea Whitcombe (GBR) 1:58:57
10th - Debbie Tanner (NZL) 1:59:01