Hewitt Confirms Top Three Ranking With Silver In Yokohama

New Zealand triathlete Andrea Hewitt confirmed her top three world ranking with a superb silver medal performance at the Yokohama round of the ITU Dextro Energy World Championship Series while compatriot Debbie Tanner finished 13th.

In desperately hot and humid conditions Hewitt once again effected a heady race plan and was always at the front of the field during the 10km run, shadowing eventual winner Lisa Norden (SWE) throughout until the tall Swede made the vital break with 200m left to run.

Hewitt (Christchurch) and Tanner (Auckland) enjoyed steady if not spectacular swims, emerging in the second pack in 10th and 11th places respectively. The locals were dominating early with Chie Kakashima, AkaneTsuchihashi, Mariko Adachi and Juri Ide all in the top eight out of the 1500m swim.

Of the major contenders Norden, Daniela Ryf (SUI) and Ricarda Lisk (GER) were in the same group as the Kiwis, while race favourite Nicola Spirig (SUI) was a further 20 seconds behind.

On the 40km bike Annabel Luxford (AUS), Sarah Haskins (USA), Liz Blatchford (GBR) and Nakashima broke away, leaving a large chase group 24 seconds behind with Hewitt and Tanner safely amongst them. The lead did not last long though as the combined power of the chase group of 14 riders made steady inroads on the leaders, catching them on lap three of eight.

Meanwhile Spirig was stranded 47 seconds behind, with just Jodie Swallow (GBR) for company but in an incredible show of her strength on the bike, Spirig slowly but surely closed the gap, joining the lead group nearing the end of the ride.

Hewitt and Tanner positioned themselves superbly at the end of the bike, with Hewitt in third and Tanner in eighth. The Kiwis didn’t lack for company though with race favourites Norden, Ryf, Spirig and Lisk all in the top ten, so too Kirsten Sweetland (CAN), another renowned runner.

Hewitt took the lead as they headed out on to the 10km run with Tanner in 10th, five seconds behind. Ten became eight with Sweetland and Spirig slowly falling off the pace but Hewitt and Tanner were right in amongst it as Kiyomi Niwata and Ide set the pace in front of their home fans.

Gradually athletes fell off the pace, struggling in some of the hottest conditions seen for a major triathlon all year. Included in those who struggled was Tanner who faded over the second half of the run, the oppressive conditions and the effects of London a week ago taking a toll.

The final two kilometres saw Hewitt, Norden and Ide running shoulder to shoulder, with Norden and Ide trying on a number of occasions to break away. All were unsuccessful until Norden’s burst 200m out, with first Ide and then Hewitt conceding defeat.

The result will only strengthen Hewitt’s position however heading into the final World Championship event next month on the Gold Coast, with points multiplied there with each athlete counting their top four results towards their final world ranking.

ITU Dextro Energy Triathlon World Championship Series
Yokohama
Elite Women
Gold Lisa Norden SWE 1:55:56
Silver Andrea Hewitt NZL 1:56:00
Bronze Juri Ide JPN 1:56:03
4 Liz Blatchford GBR 1:56:23
5 Annabel Luxford AUS 1:56:30
Plus
13 Debbie Tanner NZL 1:58:14

Photo by Delly Carr/ Triathlon.org