14 May 2016

Hewitt, Sissons in Yokohama top 10

8:47 pm on 14 May 2016

New Zealand triathletes Andrea Hewitt and Ryan Sissons have both finished inside the top ten at the latest world series event in Yokohama.

New Zealand triathlete Andrea Hewitt 4th at Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

New Zealand triathlete Andrea Hewitt 4th at Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Hewitt came home in fourth, eight seconds short of a podium finish and one-minute-30 seconds behind the American winner Gwen Jorgensen.

The Rio bound Hewitt climbed to 7th on the overall world rankings, with four of those ahead of her having raced one more event.

She said it was just common sense that saw her hardly on the front of the race today, especially on the bike.

"It is never the plan, I just go with what is happening in the race and today there was no point for me to be near the front on the bike, it was about staying upright and out of trouble and getting my legs ready for the run.

"I came into transition well and got into the run well in third so I was happy with that. There were quite a few surges on the run and that is something I have been working on. That final surge when second and third got away was just the last break for me, I managed to stay for fourth and am pleased with the result.

"I think my form is good at the moment, I am looking to build into the European season and everything is building up for August," she said.

Sissons was in a similar frame of mind post-race after finishing 9th, 44 seconds behind the Spanish winner, Mario Mola.

The New Zealander, who has yet to qualify for Rio, was most pleased with the second lap of his swim where he made good gains.

New Zealand triathlete Ryan Sissons.

New Zealand triathlete Ryan Sissons. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"I think I moved from about 30th to 15th, I guess I have figured out a lot of stuff in my swimming over the past few years and I have really been focused on that and I guess making sure I do exactly what I know works for me, I have swum well in all my races and was happy with how I swam the second lap today. Just shows I have some good strength behind me."

Gwen Jorgensen simply ran away from the field to take the gold medal, becoming the first woman to do so four times at the same event and again stamp her authority on the sport after being beaten be Helen Jenkins (GBR) on the Gold Coast.

Ai Ueda (JPN) delighted the home fans with a bronze medal, behind Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) who took silver and made a statement about Rio to her selectors.

In the men's race, Mola (ESP) was just as impressive as Jorgensen, winning to maintain his number one world ranking.

Crisanto Gajales (MEX) and Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) both won their first ever medals at this level and announced them as genuine WTS contenders.

New Zealande's Simone Ackermann was 19th, Rebecca Spence 21st and Tony Dodds 28th, while Nicky Samuels withdrew early in the run leg after impressing during the swim and bike sections of the race.