Triathlon: Perth race to fill last Olympics slots

WELLINGTON - Sunday's world triathlon championship race in Perth is "D-day" for New Zealander Hamish Carter.

But selector Graham Park will not say, publicly at least, that another poor performance in Australia would end the world No 1's chances of a Sydney Olympics start in September.

Triathlon New Zealand set a top-15 finish in Perth or at the Sydney World Cup race earlier this month as a prerequisite for Olympic selection. Carter is under pressure after a disappointing 32nd in Sydney.

Craig Watson, of Christchurch, secured one of New Zealand's three Olympic spots with his sixth placing in Sydney. Carter, Paul Amey and Shane Reed are the frontrunners to join Watson but all failed to impress across the Tasman.

Park would not be drawn on whether Carter's Olympic hopes hinge on his performance in Perth.

Asked whether Carter would be overlooked for the Olympics if he did not do well on Sunday, Park said: "That would be up to the selectors to decide.

"It's come down to the crunch and not just for Hamish, for all of them. But as the Kiwi No 1 we expect Hamish will put in a good result."

Waikanae's Evelyn Williamson, rocked by the death of her swimming coach, Prue Marguerite Young (nee Chapman), this week, faces similar pressure on Sunday after finishing 18th in Sydney. Williamson is chasing one of the two Olympic spots for women.

- NZPA