Taupo triathlete Bevan Docherty continued his superb form to finish third in the ITU World Cup in New York today.

Docherty finished closely behind Olympic champion Simon Whitfield (Canada) and world duathlon champion Tim Don (GBR) in the ninth round of the World Cup.

The event reverted to a duathlon after torrential rain made conditions unsuitable for swimming in the Hudson River, and was decided over a 10km run 40km bike and 5km run event in Central Park, the first time a World Cup event has been staged in the United States.

World No 1 Greg Bennett (Australia) opened a 45-second advantage, covering the first 10km run in 30:13, with Docherty in the chase group that included Don, world No 2 Chris Hill (Australia), Whitfield, world champion Ivan Rana (Spain), Kiwi Hamish Carter and former Aucklander Paul Amey, who now races for Great Britain.

Bennett was caught on the third lap of four during the 40km bike in Central Park, before Whitfield made his move to grab the lead off the bike.

Don, Docherty and Hill chased hard but could not make inroads into his 80m advantage over the final 5km run, with the British runner outkicking Docherty for second place.

Carter found the second run demanding in the hot conditions, falling to 20th place.

Docherty's third placing should see him rise in to the top three in the world when rankings are updated this week, and follows his strong form in recent weeks. He finished fourth in the World Cup in Edmonton, second behind fellow Kiwi Hamish Carter at World Cup Corner Brook and third male and fourth overall in the rich Life Time Fitness triathlon last weekend.

The women’s race was won by Australian veteran Rina Hill, making a comeback after a year out of the sport while having a child. She formerly competed for New Zealand, having switched allegiances from her native Australia in an attempt to qualify for the Sydney Olympics.

The World Cup moves back to Europe with the next round in Hamburg on September 6.

Results, 9th round ITU World Cup, New York:

Men: Simon Whitfield (Can) 1:46.47, 1; Tim Don (GBR) 1:46.54, 2; Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:46.59, 3; Hamish Carter (NZL) 1:48.52, 20.

Women: Rina Hill (Aust) 2:00.48, 1; Pip Taylor (Aust) 2:00.52, 2; Michelle Dillon (GBR) 2:01.05, 3.

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