Triathlon: Hewitt eyes top two finish

Third-ranked Andrea Hewitt is aiming for a world title and Olympic qualification this year. File photo / Kenny Rodger

World No 3 Andrea Hewitt is looking for a top two finish at this weekend's triathlon world championship series race in Hamburg, Germany.

Canada's Paula Findlay has dominated the women's racing to date, but is not scheduled to start in Hamburg. However, Chilean Barbara Riveros Dias, currently ranked second in the world, will provide real competition for the New Zealander.

Hewitt's best result of the season was a third place at the world championship series race in Sydney in April.

Joining Hewitt on the start line are fellow New Zealanders Kate McIlroy, Debbie Tanner and Rebecca Spence.

Wellington's McIlroy has been in hot form lately, coming off a 12th place finish in Kitzbuhel and an impressive sixth in Madrid.

Tanner is looking to rebound after a frustrating few months of racing in which she finished 22nd in Kitzbuhel and was forced to pull out due to breathing problems in Madrid.

The New Zealand men's squad has been cut back to three after Wanaka's Tony Dodds was forced to withdraw after a collision with a car earlier in the week.

Dodds received 12 stitches to his arm and elbow after being thrown through the rear windscreen of a car in an accident while training on his bike in Darmstadt, Germany.

He has been advised by medical staff to refrain from competing in Hamburg, with the potential risk of infection far too great.

Meanwhile New Zealanders Ryan Sissons, Kris Gemmell and Martin van Barneveld are all looking to boost their fortunes with series leader Alistair Brownlee (Britain) sitting this race out.

- NZPA