New Zealand’s hopes of a high placing in the triathlon mixed team event faded after a crash involving Hayden Wilde near the end of the bike leg today.
Wilde, the silver medallist in the individual event a few days ago, led off for New Zealand and, after a mediocre swim, tangled with French cyclist Pierre le Corre and crashed to the ground.
"A disaster," said Wilde after the race. "I caught back up to the group and was coming around to the last bend, got pushed out my line a bit and had to recorrect. I was going too fast.
"The front wheel just slipped out, which included me taking out the French as well.
"I got on the bike pretty quick, but I think I was pretty high with adrenaline and got into the transition and didn't realise my nose was gushing with blood. I know it's not broken so my modelling career can continue."
Wilde said he tried everything to get New Zealand back in the race. "It wasn't meant to be. Crashes happen within the race, so apologies to the team.
"We fought hard in a very difficult and tough position. I feel that was on me. You can't control crashes."
After the incident, the New Zealand team was always fighting an uphill battle.
New Zealand – Wilde, Nicole van der Kaay, Dylan McCullough and Ainsley Thorpe – finished 14th of the 15 starters in 1h 30min 23s, nearly five minutes behind gold medallists Germany.
The medals were hotly disputed in the final sprint to the finish with Germany winning by a second from USA, who won a photo finish verdict over Great Britain.
Wilde completed his leg in 20min 34s and despite his tumble during the bike ride, was still the fastest of the New Zealanders. Van der Kaay completed her duties in 24min 12s, McCullough, who had a particularly good swim, took 20min 48s and Thorpe finished with a 24min 49s leg.