KEY POINTS:
Bevan Docherty and Samantha Warriner prevailed in windy conditions to win their respective races at the national triathlon championships in Wellington today.
The pair capped an impressive day for home athletes, with New Zealanders dominating in both classes.
In the men's race, Docherty's rivalry with compatriot Kris Gemmell produced a thrilling finish with former world champion just pipping his national teammate.
Docherty clocked one hour 56 minutes 46 seconds for the 1.5km, 40km cycle and 10km run, with Gemmell crossing in 1hr 56min 54sec.
Switzerland's Sebastien Gacond claimed bronze in 1hr 58min 47sec, with another New Zealander, Tony Dodd, fourth.
Warriner had more breathing space in her race, finishing almost 1min ahead of the chasing pack in 2hr 9min 6sec.
Americans Sara McLarty and Jasmine Oeinck barely had any space between them, crossing in second and third respectively in 2hr 10min 28sec and 2hr 10min 29sec.
Today's races also saw the overall winners of the inaugural national triathlon series decided, with Stephen Sheldrake and Gina Ferguson taking out their respective titles.
Sheldrake won with four victories from six starts while Ferguson won five races from seven starts.
After finishing fourth at last week's Mooloolaba World Cup race in Australia behind Gemmell, Docherty today stamped his authority over the field with a commanding performance.
"Today was a hard day. The wind obviously made things difficult but generally speaking it was a hard day at the office," Docherty said.
"At one point Kris and I got away but the group was cycling really well and we decided there was no point pushing the issue, knowing we would both be the quickest on the run."
Docherty was proved correct with the pair quickly putting distance on Gacond.
Gemmell said he knew he was in for a tough battle when he realised Docherty was coping easily with the cycle leg.
"When he's doing it easy, you know you are in for a tough run.
"Once again it came down to his strength and my speed and today he won out," Gemmell said.
In the women's race, Warriner showed a great form reversal after her 27th placing at Mooloolaba.
"Wow, what a race and what a transformation from last week," she said.
"After last week I made changes to my nutrition and ate more in the days leading up to the race.
"Clearly it worked, I felt strong all day despite a rough swim and taking a little time to find my rhythm on the bike."
Warriner was almost 45sec down on the lead group early in the bike leg, but made her move early into the run.
"The wind made the bike treacherous and at times it was all I could do to hang on, especially around some of the tight turns.
"But once we closed the gap towards the end of the bike I felt like it was my day."
Andrea Hewitt was fourth in 2hr 10min 30sec, just under 1min ahead of fellow New Zealander Nicky Samuels.
In the under-23 race, Dodd won the men's title, with Sarah Bryant taking out the women's.
LEADING RESULTS
Elite men:
1. Bevan Docherty (NZ) 1hr 56min 46sec
2. Kris Gemmell (NZ) 1:56.54
3. Sebastien Gacond (Switzerland) 1:58.47
4. Tony Dodds (NZ) 2:00.41
5. Clayton Fettell (Australia) 2:00.49
6. Ruedi Wild (Switzerland) 2:01.07
7. Daniel Torok (Hungary) 2:01.30
8. Joshua Amberger (Australia) 2:01.57
9. Adam Carlton (Australia) 2:02.21
10. Hideo Fukui (Japan) 2:02.45
Elite women:
1. Samantha Warriner (NZ) 2:09.06
2. Sara McLarty (US) 2:10.28
3. Jasmine Oeinck (US) 2:10.29
4. Andrea Hewitt (NZ) 2:10.30
5. Nicky Samuels (NZ) 2:11.39
6. Mary Beth Ellis (US) 2:12.24
7. Sarah Groff (US) 2:12.29
8. Taryn McLeod (NZ) 2:15.36
9. Merja Kiviranta (Finland) 2:16.23
10. Melanie Sexton (Australia) 2:16.24
- NZPA
