11 Apr 2011

Hewitt on podium at season opener

6:11 am on 11 April 2011

Christchurch triathlete Andrea Hewitt has finished third in the season opening ITU World Championship race in Sydney today, finishing behind Canadian winner Paula Findlay and Chile's Barbara Riveros Diaz.

Findlay charged ahead in the final 200 metres of the run leg to defeat defending champion Riveros Diaz of Chile in a time of 2:01.21 with Hewitt close behind in third.

Debbie Tanner was the best of the other New Zealanders racing strongly in her return from injury, to come home in 21st while Nicky Samuels was 28th and Anna Cleaver 49th on debut in the World Champs Series.

It was a disappointing day for the two favoured Aussies, with Emma Moffatt completing the journey in 13th place whilst Beijing Olympic champion Emma Snowsill was well back in 42nd.

The ITU World Triathlon Series continues in Japan next month with a further four events before the Grand Final in China in September.