A third place finish for Ackermann is especially pleasing for the 21-year-old from Whangarei as she continues to improve on the world stage, backing up from her 39th place finish at the Mooloolaba ITU World Cup in late March.
For Elvery also it's a steady progression in his form this year and saw the Aucklander pick up vital ranking points in Olympic qualifying year.
"The standard of competition in these events is usually pretty easy, but with everyone battling for points this year it was actually quite a decent field with three top Russians Turbaevsky, Malyshev and Parienko, Reto Hug from Switzerland, and a bunch of other guys capable of racing well,” Elvery said.
"This race is known for being one of attrition in the stinking hot humid conditions. These lower level ITU races can also throw up a few surprises, traps for ‘young players'. Here we had to ride 15km in the pitch dark at 4.30am to get to the swim start and then watch out for a couple of packs of wild dogs wandering on and off the course.
"I just did all the little things right and stayed out of trouble to get a good result. I swam well near the front as I was aware the three Russians might try and breakaway early. I rode over the hilly bike course well positioned near the front and looked after myself for the run, drinking a full two bottles of Replace on the bike. Once on to the run I felt pretty good and moved into the lead group of about ten runners.
"At 6km, three-time Olympian Reto Hug put in a good surge and broke away with Parienko from Russia and 2009 U23 World Champ Franz Loeschke from Germany. I increased my pace and was holding them at about 20 seconds on my own for the next lap.
"I was worried about having a meltdown in the heat so played it safe and didn't push really hard until about 800m to go. I got up to within 20 metres of the lead trio but they then started sprinting for the line and got away again. I finished in fourth feeling pretty fresh which is good because I have a hard race next weekend in Mexico, the Monterrey World Cup.”
ITU Asian Cup Triathlon
Subic Bay
Philippines
Elite Women
1. Natalie Van Coevorden (AUS) 2:10:03
2. Hideko Kikuchi (JPN) 2:10:28
3. Simone Ackermann (NZL) 2:13:15
4. Amy Roberts (AUS) 2:13:41
5. Machiko Nakanishi (JPN) 1:14:11
Elite Men
1. Reto Hug (SUI) 1:54:33
2. Franz Loeschke (GER) 1:54:35
3. Artem Parienko (RUS) 1:54:41
4. James Elvery (NZL) 1:55:08
5. Ritchie Nicholls (GBR) 1:55:22
