Nick Pilgrim claimed an encouraging fourth-place finish at the Richmond Camtri Sprint Triathlon American Cup in Virginia yesterday.

Pilgrim emerged from the water in third, just a few seconds behind leader Jack Larkin, of the United States, and compatriot Caleb Ingham who finished 23rd overall.

Ingham, who turned 15 yesterday, completed the 375 metres swim in 4min 51sec while Pilgrim was two seconds slower.

Larkin set a fast pace on the bike with a 14:12 split for the 10km, two-lap course and was joined in the run by Eli Hopenfeld, of the US, posting a time of 14:02 split.

Pilgrim, 14:33, was in the chase group while Ingham, 15:21, fell of the pace on the bike.

Ethan Nordman, of the US, distanced himself from Pilgrim on the run and caught Larkin in an exciting finish to claim the victory by one second in 29:38.

Pilgrim, 15, finished the 2.5km run in 8:57 for an overall time of 29:45, while Ingham had with a solid 10:14 run for a total time of 32:06.

Both triathletes competed in MS Amlin World Triathlon Age Group in Hamilton last weekend. Pilgrim came second and Ingham fourth.