Kiwis Andrea Hewitt and Graham O'Grady performed with distinction at the ITU World Long Distance Triathlon Championships in Weihai, China today, Hewitt adding another World Championship medal to her collection and O'Grady finishing just one spot off the podium.
Racing was over a 4km swim, 120km bike ride and a 20km run and for Hewitt it was a first foray into the longer form of triathlon racing, coming off the back of a strong finish to her ITU season in which she finished the season ranked number three in the world.
It showed yet another string to the bow of the durable and feisty Cantabrian who raced strongly throughout to finish on the podium behind Camilla Pedersen (Denmark) and Kaisa Lehtonen (Finland).
In the men's race Graham O'Grady (Kinloch) raced equally strongly to finish in fourth place, behind a trio of Frenchmen who dominated proceedings, but ahead of long-distance legend Craig Alexander (Australia).
A number of other New Zealanders were also taking part in age group world championship racing in Weihai, a report and full results will be available on Monday at www.triathlon.kiwi.
Results: ITU World Long Distance Championships
Elite Women
1. Camilla Pedersen (DEN) 5:43:31
2. Kaisa Lehtonen (FIN) +4:16
3. Andrea Hewitt (NZL) +10:58
4. Ewa Bugdol (POL) +15:18
5. Eva Potuckova (CZE) +17:13
Elite Men
1. Bertrand Billard (FRA) 5:09:09
2. Sylvain Sudrie (FRA) 02:41
3. Viennot Cyril (FRA) +6:25
4. Graham O'Grady (NZL) +8:44
5. Craig Alexander (AUS) +11:36
