KEY POINTS:
New Zealand triathlete Andrea Hewitt secured her maiden World Cup win with victory in the Austrian leg at Kitzbuhel overnight.
The win was made all the sweeter for Hewitt after training partner Nicky Samuels finishing strongly for third, her first ever podium finish in a World Cup event.
Victory for Hewitt continues a superb season for the Cantabrian who backs up earlier World Cup victories by compatriots Samantha Warriner and Bevan Docherty.
Hewitt once again proved too strong in a close finish, out sprinting local hope Eva Dollinger.
She clocked one hour 54 minutes 34 seconds, 2.54sec clear of the Austrian.
Samuels trailed Hewitt by 13.64sec and was understandably thrilled to finally taste World Cup victory after a number of podiums finishes.
"The changes to my training and the decision to race less this year are clearly paying off big time," she said.
"There were three of us at the finish and it came down to a big sprint to the line. I have always been the one to start the sprint and of late I have been coming out on top."
Hewitt led out of the water and consolidated on the bike leg before powering clear in her strongest component.
Samuels was also rapt with her breakthrough performance.
"The key for me was closing the gap on the bike, despite our group not working that well but I guess the leaders were even worse in that regard and it closed up before the end of the 40kms."
Samuels said the result was significant as neither had tapered for the race.
"Our focus is still the Beijing World Cup race later in the year and qualifying for the Olympics. We are both doing some big mileage and didn't focus too strongly on this race but it is a great vindication of our training and ability to race quick on the back of some tough training."
In the men's race Clark Ellice was the best of the New Zealanders finishing 16th.
- NZPA
