Triathlon: Hewitt protects series standing with fourth

Andrea Hewitt. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand triathlete Andrea Hewitt has continued her strong season by finishing fourth at the world championship series in Hamburg, Germany, today.

Hewitt fought hard from start to finish in a race where Australians filled the podium.

Emma Moffatt won in a time of one hour 53 minutes 37 seconds with fellow countrywomen Emma Jackson and Emma Snowsill both crossing the line together just 7sec back.

Hewitt's fourth placing means she remains third in the overall series rankings.

It was a positive result for 29-year-old Hewitt, who is preparing for New Zealand's Olympic selection race in London next month.

"While you always want to win, fourth here is a solid result for me with the London selection race just a few weeks away," she said after finishing 22sec behind Moffatt.

"London is what everything is focused on so it's nice to know I'm in pretty good form heading into that."

Another New Zealander, Kate McIlroy, had impressive swim and bike legs and was among the lead run group before pulling out with two laps to go, looking in some discomfort.

Debbie Tanner was also near the front on the swim and throughout the bike but faded during the run to end up 25th overall.

New Zealand's fourth athlete, Rebecca Spence, joined McIlroy in the did not finish bracket when she pulled out on the bike after coming out of the water near the back.

Leading results from the world championship series race (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run):-

Elite women: Emma Moffatt (Australia) 1hr 53min 37sec 1, Emma Jackson (Australia) 1:53.44 2, Emma Snowsill (Australia) 1:53.44 3, Andrea Hewitt (NZ) 1:53.59 4, Barbara Riveros Diaz 1:54.32.

Also: Debbie Tanner (NZ) 1:56.16 25. Did not finish: Kate McIlroy (NZ), Rebecca Spence (NZ).

- NZPA