Samuels 8th in Ishigaki World Cup

Nicky Samuels has finished 8th at the Ishigaki World Cup Triathlon in Japan this afternoon, continuing her strong return to the sport after a 2008 season wrecked by injury.

The Wanaka athlete was prominent throughout, emerging in fourth place after the swim and in second at the conclusion of the 40km bike. The 10km run however saw Samuels slip off the pace set by 5th place finisher in Beijing Juri Ide (JPN) with Kathy Tremblay (CAN) finishing second and Kiyomi Niwata (JPN) third.

Samuels maintained her form in the closing stages to hold out a determined effort from another Japanese athlete in Ai Ueda to ensure a steady if not spectacular result for the New Zealander.

Samuels was the lone New Zealander in the event, held a week out from a start to the ITU Dextro Energy World Championship Series in Korea. The 26 year old will line up in Korea alongside the best in the sport including a host of New Zealanders as the new World Championship Series makes its much awaited first appearance on the triathlon calendar.

Samuels enjoyed a strong summer of racing in New Zealand as she won the Contact Cup Series and returned to full fitness following a pelvic injury in 2008.

Ishigaki ITU Triathlon World Cup
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Elite Women - Unofficial Results
Gold - Juri Ide (JPN) 2:03:33
Silver - Kathy Tremblay (CAN) 2:03:38 +:05
Bronze - Kiyomi Niwata (JPN) 2:03:54 +:21
4th - Ainhoa Murua (ESP) 2:04:16 +:43
5th - Lauren Groves (CAN) 2:04:51 +1:18
6th - olga Dmitrieva (RUS) 2:05:22 +1:49
7th - Melanie Annaheim (SUI) 2:05:28 +1:55
8th - Nicky Samuels (NZL) 2:05:39 +2:06
9th - Ai Ueda (JPN) 2:05:46 +2:13
10th - Misato Takagi (JPN) 2:06:12 +2:39

Official full field results are available here

The race was standard Olympic distance: 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike, 10-kilometer run. Click here for more event information.

Up Next: The debut of the new Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series in Tongyeong Korea - May 2/3, 2009.