Triathlon: Tanner bounces back to take silver

The Kiwi women celebrated but mechanical problems proved costly for the men at the Oceania Triathlon Championships in Hobart yesterday.

Auckland triathlete Debbie Tanner finished second to world champion Emma Snowsill in the women's race, with Commonwealth Games teammate Andrea Hewitt in fifth and reserve Nicky Samuels fourth.

However 2004 world champion Bevan Docherty crashed after a mechanical failure on the cycle and teammate Kris Gemmell, part of a breakaway on the bike, punctured on the penultimate lap.

Tanner enjoyed a welcome return to top form ahead of next month's Commonwealth Games after a disappointing race in the recent New Zealand championships in Kinloch.

Melbourne-bound Tanner and Hewitt (Christchurch) and Samuels (Whangarei) were among six to go clear on the bike where they opened a three-minute advantage.

Tanner finished 40s behind Snowsill and 20s clear of world No 1 Annabel Luxford (Australia).

"It was really a hitout for our girls and I was very pleased with them," said Triathlon New Zealand high performance manager Stephen Farrell.

"We had the top Australians and several other Commonwealth Games competitors including the Canadians here."

All three New Zealand women were in the lead pack of 10 out of the 1.5km swim and as the pressure went on they remained in a six-strong group including Snowsill and Luxford.

Snowsill, the favourite for gold in Melbourne, was too classy on the run but Farrell was delighted with Tanner's run.

"She was not happy with her effort in Kinloch but really bounced back well here. She looked fantastic on the run and this is a real confidence boost for her.

"Both Andrea and Nicky also looked strong. It was a really good showing a month out from the race in Melbourne."

Gemmell (Christchurch) bridged his way up to a lead group of three on the bike before he punctured. He changed his wheel and completed the race.

Docherty was sitting in the pack but struggled on his bike and crashed when the gear slipped on the main climb. Team officials later found a crack in the frame that caused the mechanical problems.

"Bevan went immediately out on a 90-minute training run, as much as anything to cool off as he was very disappointed. Having said that, it was better for it to happen here than in four weeks' time."

Auckland's Sam Walker was the best of the New Zealanders in 12th place.

The Commonwealth Games team move to a training base at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra with world No 7 Samantha Warriner joining the group after attending the Halberg Sports Awards where she was a finalist, while Olympic champion Hamish Carter will prepare in New Zealand.

- NZPA