The triathlon exemplifies the concept of an “endurance race”.
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They dominated the race from the start and on a tough, hilly bike leg drove relentlessly from the front to ask questions nobody could answer. Additionally, the transition periods factor into the overall race time. At the 11 minute mark, the United States’ Katie Zaferes was in second.
Knowing she had the talent to be an Olympic champion, Jorgensen put her entire focus on Rio. “But I have zero plays for August 21st, so wait and find out”. But they were both races that Jorgensen skipped.
Jorgensen finished 38th in the women’s triathlon in London in 2012, and she moved overseas to train in preparation for Rio. Despite the tough climbs and curvy roads, the athletes kept in a consistent formation.
“That’s the most fantastic thing because she was very clear”. And then it is about who gets to the line first, not, “I am not going to run this pace because it will be better for Non”.
A 1.5km sea swim in the Atlantic then a 40km bike leg and 10km run alongside Copacabana beach were always going to make captivating viewing, but two great races completed the picture.
Jorgensen is a native of Wisconsin and now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The 30-year-old American credited her part-time training regime since 2012 with Australian coach Jamie Turner and the Wollongong Wizards for sharpening her form. By lap 2, the front pack slimmed down to 18 including all the heavy hitters except Jenkins.
This is the second time Zaferes experienced disappointment on the Rio course.
Jorgensen finished the cycling portion 12th, only 1 second behind leader Lisa Norden of Sweden.
“It feels great to have someone from this small town do this huge worldwide thing”, she said. Prior to that streak, the longest win streak for a woman triathlete was three.
Mari Rabie made a kamikaze surge to lead the field out of T2, but within few hundred meters Jorgensen and Spirig took control, followed 10 meters back by Stanford and Holland, a few meters further arrears were Riveros and Moffatt. The race continued with the two favorites literally inches from one another all the way through the 1:45 mark, at which point a brief, weird moment occured. Neither wanted to lead.
Holland thought Spirig’s tactic actually played into Jorgensen’s hand.
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After crossing the finish line, she reached down and grabbed the green, gold and blue ribbon and held it high above her head in triumph before breaking down in tears.
