Hewitt All Class in Back to Back Victories – McIlroy Third
New Zealand triathlete Andrea Hewitt made it back to back victories in the Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series, following up her win last week at the 2011 Grand Final in Beijing with an even more dominating performance in Yokohama with fellow Kiwi Kate McIlroy racing superbly for third place.
Hewitt was delighted to once again race well in Japan after picking up the U23 World Championship back in 2005 at Gamagori.
“That is incredible, today it was just an amazing race, it was so hot I don’t think I am going to stop sweating for another couple of hours. I have had some really good races here in Japan, it was my first (U23) World Championship win way back and now to win here again today is great.”
It was an unusual atmosphere in Yokohama today following the postponement of the event earlier this year due to the earthquake, tsunami and subsequent radiation concerns, the rescheduled race saw points earned carried into the 2012 season, providing an opportunity for competitors to ‘bank’ some hard earned points for next year.
Hewitt, McIlroy, Nicky Samuels and Debbie Tanner started for New Zealand and emerged from the water in a large chase pack, some 38 seconds behind Lucy Hall (GBR) and Helen Jenkins (GBR). The two British athletes then went about their work on the technical bike course knowing that the large group of 24 would work behind them to close the gap.
As was the case in Beijing, the Kiwis worked well as a team on the bike, taking their turns on the front to keep the pace high and slowly but surely close the gap to Jenkins and Hall before catching the pair on the third lap.
Exiting the bike the entire field had come together forming a group and the Kiwis were prominent, with Samuels, McIlroy and Hewitt well positioned inside the top half dozen. It was Hewitt though who quickly stamped her class on the field, immediately moving to the front and controlling the race from that point to win with ease from Emma Moffatt (AUS) and McIlroy.
Hewitt said the race played out a little differently to Beijing last week on a flatter course but in hot conditions.
“I had sore riding legs from last week but the running legs were good. Today I didn’t work so hard on the bike, saved some for the run and then went really hard at the start, running the first kilometre with Emma (Moffat) and then by myself. I just kept running as hard as I could to stay away, then in the middle stages I looked to maintain the lead. I felt good all day, even with the conditions getting hotter and hotter.
“There was just one u-turn on run, but even that was difficult to judge the distance I was ahead. But National Coach Greg Fraine said I was stretching the lead and I just kept going.
“To have this form at this time of the year is great, two wins is amazing, I really peaked for these weeks and it is a really good way to end the season and a good boost for next year and the Olympics.”
McIlroy has had an incredible finish to the season despite tearing a calf muscle 7 weeks ago, finishing strongly in Beijing last week and now on the podium for a first time ever in the World Championship Series.
“It is my first podium and I had a really good race last weekend when I was holding third the whole way only to get out sprinted at the finish, I was determined not to be out sprinted today and get on the podium. I managed to do it today so I am really happy.
“I have had a funny season, I tore my calf 7 weeks ago and had to pull out of London and Hamburg so to have a finish to the season like I have is amazing, I can’t quite believe it but I am really happy. I haven’t done any speed work since injuring the leg, hardly any running, they were sharper, went early and held on and they didn’t come past.
“I am really pleased with my progress this year. I have been in the sport for 3 years now and have always finished around 12th to 14th in races. Finally though I have cracked the top 10 now have stepped up to another level with a podium. I am getting stronger on the bike and the swim too, so I feel like I am slowly but surely getting stronger each year and to race so well at the end of the season is good timing.”
Samuels and Tanner though couldn’t maintain contact with the leaders on the run, dropping back through the field with Samuels finishing 33rd and Tanner withdrawing before the finish.
The race underlines a brilliant season for the two Kiwis with Hewitt finishing second overall in the 2011 World Championship and McIlroy finishing her year superbly with a 6th place in Beijing - a result that combined with today earmarks the Wellingtonian as a dark horse contender for a medal in London next year.
Hewitt and McIlroy will start the 2012 season proper ranked 1st and 3rd in the world, giving both a great boost in Olympic year.
Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series
Yokohama, Japan
Elite Women
1. ANDREA HEWITT NZL 1:59:17
2. EMMA MOFFATT AUS 1:59:31
3. KATE MCILROY NZL 1:59:45
4. AILEEN MORRISON IRL 1:59:50
5. EMMA JACKSON AUS 1:59:58
6. HELEN JENKINS GBR 1:59:59
7. LISA NORDEN SWE 2:00:01
8. AI UEDA JPN 2:00:06
9. KIYOMI NIWATA JPN 2:00:23
10. JURI IDE JPN 2:00:30
Plus Kiwis
33 NICKY SAMUELS NZL 2:03:31
DNF DEBBIE TANNER NZL
Image credit: Delly Carr