The 2012 ITU World Triathlon Series event at San Diego was held just a mile away from the hallowed ground of Fiesta Island - the site of the very first triathlon held September 25, 1974. While much has changed since the San Diego Track Club assembled a motley group of runners and multisport enthusiasts for a change of pace cross training workout including swimming, biking and running, the high spirits stay the same. In this go round, the U.S. women were fighting for the third and final spot on the 2012 Olympic team. In the end, Laura Bennett's third place finish outpaced rival Sarah Haskins and secured the final ticket to the London Olympic start.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

A stream of bikes round a corner at high speed.

Revving up for the swim with windmill warm up.

Sarah Haskins has a faithful and fervent group of supporters for her important duel with Laura Bennett.

Groff can relax - she already earned her Olympic slot last summer in London.

Swim start involved a long run in shallow water before the dive .

Helen Jenkins, Emma Moffatt and Laura Bennett led the first lap of the swim.

Vicky Holland, Erin Densham, Sarah Groff and Sarah Haskins in close quarters running up the beach.

Helen Jenkins was one of the first of the breakaway group of eight to mount her bike.

One small chase group about to join the main chase pack on the course's lone hill - a causeway bridge.

Radka Vodickova leads a small chase group around a corner in Mission Bay.

Rounding a corner with a nautical display out front at the Bahia Hotel.

Checking off another of eight laps on the bike.

Massive chase pack arrives in T2.

Erin Densham starts the run on Helen Jenkins' shoulder. By the end, the Aussie star was 1:05 back of the Great Brit.

Sarah Haskins peers ahead to see how far ahead Laura Bennett is.

The strength of two time ITU World Champion Emma Moffatt, who finished 9th at San Diego.

Laura Bennett says she never looked back while winning her duel with Sarah Haskins.

Reigning ITU World Championship Series titlist Helen Jenkins adds another win to her already glittering resume.

Australian Emma Jackson sprints past Sarah Groff to take 14th place.

2012 US Olympian Laura Bennett greets first alternate Sarah Haskins at the line.