8 Aug 2012

British brothers first, third in triathlon; Docherty 12th

5:15 am on 8 August 2012

Britain's Alistair Brownlee has taken out gold in the Olympic triathlon, with his younger brother Jonathan overcoming a 15-second penalty to finish third just seconds behind.

The event, held at Hyde Park in central London, was won in a time of 1.46:25. Javier Gomez of Spain came second.

Taupo's Bevan Docherty was the best of the three New Zealanders in the field, finishing 12th in 1.48:35. Kris Gemmell was 15th with a time of 1.48:52 and Ryan Sissons 33rd in 1.50.27.

At the end of the first leg, the swim, Docherty was 15th and Gemmell 16th. They stuck with the leaders throughout the cycle leg, which Gemmell finished in ninth place, two seconds in front of Docherty (16th).

At the start of the run the Brownlee brothers stormed out to the front of the field - even though Jonathan had had to make up for a 15-second time penalty incurred for an incorrect transition into the cycle leg - and Docherty and Gemmell were unable to stay with the pace.

Docherty thus failed in his bid to win a medal in three consecutive Olympic Games.

The last New Zealander to get medals in three consecutive Olympics was boardsailer Barbara Kendall, who completed her triple in 2000.