8 Aug 2011

Disappointing day for NZ men's triathletes

6:26 am on 8 August 2011

It was a disappointing day for the New Zealand men at the triathlon world championships in London, with none able to finish in the top ten to book a spot at next year's London Olympic Games.

Bevan Docherty was best of the New Zealanders in atrocious conditions, coming home in 15th place, a result that leaves the two time Olympic medallist having to qualify for London early in the 2012 season.

23 year old Ryan Sissons was 22nd in the strongest field of the year while Clark Ellice was 36th, Kris Gemmell 40th, James Elvery 41st, Martin van Barneveld 48th and Tony Dodds 49th on a day when many of the Kiwis failed to find a spark in their running legs.

The men will now turn their attention to early 2012 for their next chance to earn spots on the New Zealand team at a yet to be determined ITU World Champs Series event.

Whether they will have two or three spots to chase will depend on Olympic ranking points, with only the top 8 nations in the world getting three spots in London.

Alister Brownlee of Great Britain won the race.

Yesterday Andrea Hewitt finished 6th in the womern's race to book her Olympic spot.