The New Zealand men have enjoyed one of their most successful ITU World Triathlon Series events ever, with three athletes coming home inside the top 10 to cement their overall ranking inside the top 8 countries in the world and all but guarantee three starting spots at the London Olympic Games.
Ryan Sissons backed up from his runner up finish at the Huatulco World Cup last week with a superb 6th place and was closely followed by Bevan Docherty (8th) and Kris Gemmell (10th), all three showing good form at this stage of the season in their lead up to London.
London reserve Clark Ellice also raced strongly in a compressed field, finishing just 28 seconds behind Gemmell in 21st place, while Tony Dodds came home 49th.
The results leave New Zealand a very strong and secure third on the Olympic Nations rankings behind Germany and Great Britain with just Madrid to come before the top 8 nations secure their three starting positions in London.
While the calculations can be complicated and nothing is confirmed until the end of May, it appears most unlikely now that the chasing pack can catch and overtake New Zealand, and even more sure that New Zealand will not drop out of the 8 completely.
The top 8 is rounded out by France, Spain, Russia, Australia, Canada and Portugal.
ITU World Triathlon Series San Diego, USA
Elite Men
1. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 1:48:47
2. Sven Riederer (SUI) 1:48:52
3. Richard Murray (RSA) 1:49:01
4. Mario Mola (ESP) 1:49:09
5. Hunter Kemper (USA) 1:49:18
6. Ryan Sissons (NZL) 1:49:22
7. Tim Don (GBR) 1:49:25
8. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:49:29
9. Manuel Huerta (USA) 1:49:31
10. Kris Gemmell (NZL) 1:49:40
Plus Kiwis
21. Clark Ellice (NZL) 1:50:08
49. Tony Dodds (NZL) 1:52:32
