Triathlon: Strong team heading for Games

The New Zealand triathlon team named yesterday for the Commonwealth Games in July is not lacking for recognised performers.

Craig Watson, Hamish Carter and Kris Gemmell fill the men's berths, and Evelyn Williamson and Heather Evans are the women's selections.

Olympic Committee secretary-general Barry Maister was confident the side would continue New Zealand's fine tradition in triathlon since the sport's inception.

"We believe this team will again represent New Zealand with great credit at Manchester."

Williamson, who is recovering from a stress fracture of the foot, must undergo a fitness test by June 30 to confirm her place.

A member of the 2000 Olympics team in Sydney, Williamson is ranked 25th in the world and has a Commonwealth ranking of eighth.

Evans qualified for the Games by winning the New Zealand and Oceania championships in Queenstown this year.

She has a Commonwealth ranking of 11 and has been training fulltime for the past six months.

Carter, who finished a disappointing 26th at the Sydney Olympics, also won the double at Queenstown and heads to Manchester with the No 1 world ranking.

Watson claimed his spot in the team with an outstanding third placing at last year's world championships in Canada.

He is second on the world rankings, the same as his Commonwealth ranking.

Watson was New Zealand's best triathlete at the Sydney Olympics, finishing 16th.

Gemmell, who was second behind Carter in the Queenstown event, is ranked 13th in the world and has a Commonwealth ranking of eighth.

Triathlon New Zealand sport manager Ian Hepenstall said Manchester was an important engagement on the sport's calendar.

"Queenstown will be hosting next year's world championships so Manchester is seen as the major stepping stone for our elite athletes to compete against the world's best."

This is the first time that triathlon will be a full medal sport at the Commonwealth Games.

- NZPA