Triathalon: Warriner in teams event

Triathlete Sam Warriner has been given a vote of confidence from the national selectors, who yesterday named her in one of two teams to contest the inaugural world teams championship in the United States.

The 2006 Commonwealth Games silver medallist has been included in the New Zealand A team, with Andrea Hewitt, Bevan Docherty and Kris Gemmell for the championship at Des Moines in Iowa on June 29.

The B team contains Kate McIlroy, Rebecca Spence, Clark Ellice and Ryan Sissons.

The championship will be contested over a super sprint format, with each competitor completing the 750m swim, 7km cycle and 1.8km run before "tagging" the next competitor.

The first team across the line will win US$40,000 ($64,300).

Warriner's inclusion comes despite injuries sustained in a recent spill from her bike forcing her to skip a world championship series race in Washington this weekend.

Coach Greg Fraine said Warriner was being monitored closely.

"In this super sprint format Sam's competitive spirit will make up for any shortfall in training over the past couple of weeks," Fraine said.

Warriner is sure she can make her presence felt at Des Moines.

"It's been a week since the accident. Last week I couldn't move and struggled to get out of bed," she said.

"This week I am up and about and moving but while I have made big gains, Washington is just too close for me to return.

"I would only be at about 60 per cent and that wouldn't show respect to the other girls, let alone myself.

"I'm really confident I'll be ready for Des Moines though. I'm improving every day. I'm still struggling with my breathing at the moment but that is to be expected with the impact I received."

Fraine said the team event marked an exciting opportunity for the sport.

"The ITU (International Triathlon Union) is very keen to include team racing on the Olympic programme so this is a big day for the sport to showcase what I believe will be an even more exciting format of racing," he said.

- NZPA