The New Zealand triathlete Kris Gemmell has finished 13th at the latest ITU World Cup event in Colombia, with the race reduced to a sprint distance.
Heavy overnight rains caused a landslide, blocking half the bike course which forced race officials to reduce the race to a sprint distance - 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.
The rain did not relent on race day either as athletes faced miserably cold and wet conditions.
It was a twist of fate not in favour of Palmerston North's Gemmell, with wintry conditions following the former World Cup winner around the circuit this year.
This time though the issue was compounded as a tough bike course likely to suit Gemmell was reduced to half distance.
With altitude also playing a huge part at Guatape, it was not surprising that the top ten were dominated by athletes who had either come from the same height or in fact down from their training bases to compete and were therefore able to cope best with the lack of oxygen.
Gemmell is already looking forward to Auckland where he will line up in the ITU World Cup race on November the 20th.
