Triathlon: Samuels' grand finish to ITU world series

Nicky Samuels.PHOTO/FILE

Whangarei's Nicky Samuels was the best finisher of the three Northlanders competing at the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final in Edmonton, Canada - claiming bronze.

It was the second week in a row that Samuels has been on the WTS podium, but this was all the sweeter on the toughest race day on the calendar with everyone eyeing up the big prize.

Fellow Whangarei triathlete Simone Ackermann competed in the same elite race as Samuels, finishing as the last Kiwi in 42nd spot about seven minutes behind Samuels yesterday.

Also competing in the event, but in the age graded section, was Maunu's James Edwards who was making his international debut.

Edwards raced on Saturday and finished 41st, just six minutes off the winner from the United States. In a pre-event duathlon Edwards had finished as the first Kiwi in fifth place in the 16 to 19-year-olds Aquathlon.

For Samuels, she shared the podium with fellow Kiwi Andrea Hewitt who won silver behind Gwen Jorgensen, of the USA, who was an outstanding winner of the race and the overall world title.

It was a superb end to the season for Hewitt and Samuels though, with Hewitt finishing the season ranked third in the world and Samuels' consecutive bronze medals moving her to a career high fifth in the world - two Kiwis in the top five in the world, one of the best end of year ranking results that Tri NZ has experienced.

Samuels was delighted with her performance.

"I couldn't really have asked for much better, my run to come into its own on nine days of quality training, I am happy with that," she said. "I was a bit concerned I was jet lagged and was a bit sick coming into this so I am so stoked.

"The race was quite hard, every race is, it was a great day for it with so many spectators out there and to share the podium with Andrea is special too."

Tri NZ coach Jon Brown has worked closely with Samuels throughout the year. He spoke of how proud he was to see the New Zealanders bossing the front of the race.

"For Nicky it has been frustrating really, she has had good fitness the whole year but has been struggling to express it in a race, training-wise she has been very impressive.

"Last week I was telling her she can podium for sure, I think she is starting to believe it now, today was very impressive."