ITU Mexico World Cup

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ITU Mexico World Cup
Huatulco, Mexico
Sunday, October 26, 2008
1.5k swim, 40k draft legal bike, 10k run

Women
Gold - Samantha Warriner (NZL)        2:14:02
Silver - Sarah Groff (USA)                   2:14:45
Bronze - Andrea Whitcombe (GBR)    2:15:02
4 - Jodie Swallow (GBR)                     2:15:17
5 - Lisa Norden (SWE)                       2:17:23
6 - Andrea Hewitt (NZL)                     2:17:58
7 - Vendula Frintova (CZE)                 2:18:54
8 - Jillian Petersen (USA)                     2:22:21

Men
Gold - Kris Gemmell (NZL)                 2:03:23
Silver - Jarrod Shoemaker (USA)        2:03:32
Bronze - Laurent Vidal (FRA)              2:04:22
4 - Thomas Springer (GER)                 2:04:40
5 - Leonardo Chacon (CRC)               2:04:47
6 - Francisco Serrano (MEX)              2:05:15
7 - Michael Raelert (GER)                   2:05:22
8 - Crisanto Grajales (MEX)                2:05:32
9 - Matt Chrabot (USA)                      2:05:50
10 - Tony Moulai (FRA)                      2:06:21

It was a New Zealand sweep of the gold medals at today's 2008 world cup finale in Huatulco, Mexico.  Samantha Warriner and Kris Gemmell conquered the course conditions that caused more then half of the competitors to withdraw.  Soaring temperature in the mid-thirties, almost 100% humidity and a treacherous hill were a few of the obstacles overcome by the Kiwi duo to end the 2008 season on a high note for New Zealand.

Warriner was victorious in a time of 2 hours 14 minutes and 2 seconds.  With the win Warriner moved ahead of Australia's Felicity Abram and is the 2008 BG Triathlon World Cup series champion.  Fourty-three seconds behind her in second was Sarah Groff of the United States and in third a further 17 seconds down was Andrea Whitcombe of Great Britain.  This is Groff's first world cup podium.

"This is what I wanted," said Warriner, who came within five points of second overall last year.  "This is a fairytale ending to the year.  I've worked so hard for this."

A non-wetsuit swim and calm conditions greeted the athletes in the enclosed Huatulco Bay.  Quickly to the front was the U.S. duo of Groff and Sarah Haskins along with Hewitt and Jodie Swallow of Great Britain.  Almost 30 seconds back emerged Warriner.  This deficit, however, would be erased within the fist few kilometres of the bike course by a charging Warriner.  With a top seven result needed to secure the series title, Warriner continued to push the pace on the bike leading most of the 40-kilometres and taking both bike primes.   In a small chase group 90 seconds back was Whitcombe with Lisa Norden of Sweden.  

"That was the hardest race I have ever done in my life," said Whitcombe about the course and conditions that claimed more then half of the women's field.  "That hill is killer and it was so hot out there.  [Warriner and my] experience helped.  Just because you are in your thirties doesn't mean you are done yet."

With temperatures rising to the high twenties, the lead group of four, having lost Haskins to a mechanical problem, entered second transition.  Hewitt led out on the 10-kilometre run followed closely by Warriner.  It was not long though before Warriner moved to the front, pulling away from the field.  A 36:21 ten-kilometre run split was enough to assure Warriner the win.  The Kiwi even had time to interact with the crowd before crossing the finish line.

The move of the race would be Whitcombe running her way onto the podium after the 90 second deficit with the days fastest run.   Hewitt, having faltered in the heat finished back in sixth. 

In the men's event, Gemmell made it a sweep of the gold medals in a time of 2 hours 3 minutes and 23 seconds, giving the 31 year old his fourth career world cup victory.  In second place only nine seconds back was Jarrod Shoemaker of the United States with France's Laurent Vidal in third a further 50 seconds back.  This is Vidal's fist world cup podium. 

"This course was so hard," said Gemmell after the race.  "This was the hardest world cup ever."

Gemmell would lead from wire to wire for the win, emerging from the non-wetsuit swim with the lead group of 23 men.  Early in the 40-kilometre bike leg Brian Fleischmann and Dan Alterman would look to break away on their own but did not make it very far and were reeled back in by the larger group.  With a hilly and hot course, many breakaway attempts were made with hopes of cracking the competition.  On lap six of eight, Gemmell pulled away to open up a 10 second gap but with no one willing to go with him, returned to the group leaving it to the 10-kilometre run. 

"I like it when it's tough," commented Gemmell.  "Its hard to run fast in 40 degrees, let alone run at all."

Out onto the run course the fiercest competition would come from the rising heat and humidity.  As the thermometer reached over 33 degrees Celsius with 98% humidity, over a dozen men would call it a day.  The heat did not seem to faze Gemmell and Shoemaker though as they ran side by side, putting substantial time into the rest of the field.  It was not until the final kilometre that Gemmell would put in his strong finishing kick and take the win.

Young Vidal continued his breakout season with his first podium finish, catapulting him into the top five of the overall series rankings.