Docherty takes out Christchurch National Series race
Samuels first in women's field

Top New Zealand triathlete Bevan Docherty has today kicked off his 2007 season
by taking out the fourth Contact Energy New Zealand Cup men's race in the
National Triathlon Series, at Corsair Bay in Christchurch.

After finishing the 1.5km swim leg in third place Docherty gained a 30 second
lead on his opponents in the 40km cycle leg, which he increased throughout the
10km run, finishing almost a minute and a half ahead of his nearest rival, with
a final time of 2.09.09.

Auckland athlete Tristan Calwell came in second with a time of 2.10.47, delighted to
finish so close to Docherty. His fantastic second place finish means Calwell
keeps his first place ranking on the series points table after a win in Nelson
on 16 December 2006.

Third in today's race was Auckland's Ben Pulham with a time of 2.11.31.

In the women's race, up-and-coming elite athlete Nicky Samuels of Whangarei
came in first with a final time of 2.25.16, almost five minutes ahead of second
place getter Gina Ferguson.

Competing on home soil, Christchurch's Ferguson finished the race in 2.30.13, followed by Sarah
Bryant of Dunedin in third in 2.32.43.

Ferguson is now
top of the series points table after taking out both the New Plymouth race on
11 November 2006, and the Nelson race on 16 December 2006.

The next race in the Contact Energy National Series will take place in Rotorua
on 28 January 2007