Triathlon: Kiwis' breakthrough victories

New Zealand triathletes Kate McIlroy and Callum Millward put past frustrations behind them to post breakthrough victories at the Pan American Cup event in the United States yesterday.

Success has arrived early for McIlroy, who turned to triathlons only late last year after a persistent leg injury thwarted the Commonwealth Games steeplechase runner's track career.

Millward's victory in Texas also comes after his progress in the multisport discipline was halted early in his career by leg injuries.

"I am still so new to all of this but it is nice to get my first win," McIlroy said after posting a time of 1h 56m 4s over a 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

That left the Wellingtonian 45s ahead of second-placed American Hayley Peirsol.

"From my days as an athlete I was used to being in the top five in most of my races so this is nice.

"I struggled in the swim today, it was a non-wetsuit which doesn't suit me and the field quickly became strung out so there was little or no drafting which again, I prefer.

"Despite working hard on the bike we couldn't close the gap on the leaders but I had a great run, something around 33:40 so I am really pleased."

Millward recorded 1h 43m 17s for his maiden win, just 3s ahead of American Kevin Collington and 28s ahead of another New Zealander, Martin van Barneveld.

"I am just so relieved at this win; it really is a big step for me," Millward saisd.

"The key has been the ability to put in some consistent run training after years of frustration with the calf muscles."

The race was marred by a big crash late on the bike, one that affected two of the three New Zealanders in the men's field, with Graham O'Grady's race effectively ruined as he fell heavily while Millward had to stop and unclip from his pedals to avoid a similar fate.

- NZPA