Bankier excels at world champs

Masterton's Sue Bankier did well at the World Triathlon Championships held in Budapest last weekend.
Bankier, a member of the Wairarapa Multi Sports Club, competed in the women's 50-54-year-old category and finished an outstanding 11th out of an international field of 57 athletes. This result made Bankier the top Australasian triathlete in the event.
She made the most of her strongest discipline getting off to an excellent start in the 1.5km swim, in a time of 22.39 minutes, putting her in fourth place overall.
Bankier is not as powerful on the second discipline, the 40km cycling leg, finishing in a time of 1hr 33s which saw her drop down the field in terms of overall placings.
The final leg, the 10km run, was completed in a time of 46.25 mins meaning a total combined time 2hr 15.14min.
This was 8min 14s behind winner Canada's Margaret Ritchie.
Bankier, who was supported in Budapest by partner John Dixon, is now enjoying a well-earned break and will return to New Zealand at the end of the month.