New Zealand holds on to deny Canada bronze in Commonwealth Games team triathlon

Canada missed out on a bronze medal in the mixed team triathlon relay Saturday at the Commonwealth Games, finishing seven seconds behind New Zealand.

Australia won gold in one hour 17 minutes 36 seconds, crossing the line 52 seconds ahead of England. New Zealand was a further minute behind.

Joanna Brown of Carp, Ont., who earned bronze in the women's triathlon Thursday, was third out of the water and fifth at the first handoff. Canada remained fifth after the second leg by Tyler Mislawchuk of Oak Bluff, Man.

Desirae Ridenour of Cowichan, B.C., pulled Canada back to fourth but New Zealand's Tayler Reid, who started the final leg with a five-second lead, held off Matt Sharpe of Victoria for the bronze.

Each member of the team completed a 250-metre swim, seven-kilometre bike ride and 1.5-kilometre run. The relay will make its Olympic debut as an official sport in the 2020 Tokyo Games.

The sprint format of the individual triathlon contested earlier in the week was a 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike ride and five-kilometre run.