Andrea Hewitt farewelled her French fiance yesterday. Photo / Jason Dorday
Kiwi triathlete Andrea Hewitt farewelled her French fiance and coach at his funeral in France yesterday.
Olympian triathlete Laurent Vidal, 31, died in his sleep in Gigean, France, of a suspected heart attack on Tuesday night.
His funeral service was held at the Paraoisse Sainte-Tehrese at 6 Rue du Clair Martin in Sete.
Yesterday, New Zealand triathlete Kris Gemmell tweeted: "Time 2 say farewell until we meet again! I'll take great pleasure talking about how you changed my life!
"A beautiful end 2 a day I never thought could happen! Yr already at work. Miss u bro, take care until we meet again."
Vidal had given up a competitive career after an earlier heart attack in 2014.
The international sporting community has been in mourning at the loss of a man who left an impression on the two countries he called home: New Zealand and France.
He was due to marry Hewitt in the new year.
Formula 1's McLaren team was founded by New Zealander Bruce McLaren in 1963.