Multisport: Reed wins in France

New Zealand triathlete Shane Reed continued his outstanding early season form with a win in the seventh annual Obernai international triathlon in France yesterday.

Reed held off Australian Richie Cunningham in a desperate sprint finish in the 1.5km swim, 45km bike, 10km run event over a hilly course.

It marked a repeat their results at the recent half-ironman at St Croix in the Caribbean.

Reed edged out Cunningham and Russian Ivan Vasiliev in the sprint finish after a split of 30 minutes 58 seconds for the 10km run.

He headed home a strong international field containing three Australians, two Russians, two Frenchmen and one Belgian, Dutchman and New Zealander in the top 10.

Another New Zealander, Tammy Kendall, was 10th overall in the women's race and third in her 20-24 years age group as she prepares for the upcoming world age group championships in Hawaii.

* Leading results from the Obernai international triathlon in France (1.5km swim, 45km bike, 10km run) yesterday:

Men: SHANE REED (NZ) 2hr 03min 07sec 1, Richie Cunningham (Australia) 2:03.08 2, Ivan Vasiliev (Russia) 2:03.11 3.

Women: Estelle Patou (France) 2:22.42 1, Nina Eggert (Germany) 2:22.50 2, Sione Jongstra (Netherlands) 2:23.06 3. Also: TAMARA KENDELL (NZ) 2:38.55 10.

- NZPA