The New Zealand triathlete, Andrea Hewitt, has won the silver medal at a World Cup event in New Plymouth.
Andrea Hewitt on the Taranaki podium next to an image of Laurent Vidal. Photo: Scott Taylor/ITU
Hewitt finished 22 seconds behind the American world champion, Gwen Jorgenson.
South Africa's Richard Murray won the men's race for the second year in a row, 25 seconds ahead of New Zealand's Ryan Sissons in 4th.
Thousands of people lining the course were at their noisiest cheering Sissons in a desperate sprint finish to the line.
Hewitt was also warmly received by fans in her first appearance since the passing of her fiancée, Laurent Vidal, late last year.
Hewitt was comfortably home in second, taking time to acknowledge the image of Vidal that adorned the finish gantry to honour the man known as '49% Kiwi'.
Richard Murray celebrates his victory in New Plymouth, 2016. Photo: Scott Taylor/ITU
Kirsten Kasper (USA) claimed bronze in the women's race, while in the men's Andreas Schilling (DEN) won silver ahead of Rostyslav Pevtsov of Azerbaijan who just nudged ahead of Sissons in the final few metres.
"I maybe went a little early, that is a long home straight and it cost me with ten metres to go, but that is the way it goes and I am still happy with the race," said Sissons.
"Laurent was always here at this race and the last time I raced here I beat him and I think he would have been stoked with my sprint finish, if you don't try you don't know, hopefully next time I will get that right."
Hewitt said she was pleased Jorgenson was in the field.
Gwen Jorgenson crosses the line in New Plymouth. Photo: Scott Taylor/ITU
"We had a really good battle, especially on the first lap on the run. I worked hard on the bike to stay away from the second group and avoid us all coming together, from there it was about putting it together on the run.
"I am really happy, especially with second place today - that was a great day out there."
