n a situation very similar to the 2008 win-or-stay-home duel between Hunter Kemper and Andy Potts for the final US 2008 Beijing Olympic men's slot, two of the United States' greatest women triathletes will be pitted against one another on the WTS race in San Diego for the final available Olympic slot. In that Olympic chase, Jarrod Shoemaker earned his spot at the 2007 Beijing World Cup and Matt Reed earned his in Tuscaloosa in 2008. In the pitiless democracy of Olympic qualification, 2004 Olympian and multiple winner Potts faced two-time Olympian and multiple World Cup winner Kemper in triathlon's version of a Texas Death Cage Wrestling Match in which only one man -- Kemper -- would emerge with his Olympic dreams alive.

This year, Gwen Jorgenson finished 2nd and Sarah Groff 7th at the 2011 London World Championship Series event which served as the first US Olympic selection race and thus earned the first two women's 2012 Olympic Triathlon slots.

This left U.S. stars with storied careers in a similar match race situation. If form holds -- and Olympic qualification is full of equally surprising and unlikely outcomes that can play havoc with pre-race favorites -- Sarah Haskins and Laura Bennett will likely be fighting for that coveted final spot. In one corner, we have Bennett, who has the most ITU World Championship medals (4 -- silver in 2003 and bronze in 2004, 2005, and 2007) a $200,000 Hy-Vee win in 2007, a 4th at the 2008 Olympics, and was the highest ranked US woman in the 2011 ITU World Championship Series. In the other corner we have Haskins and her incredible record - silver medalist at the 2008 ITU World Championship, 2011 Pan Am Games champion, 2009 and 2001 Race to the Toyota Cup series champion, 2010 ITU Monterrey World Cup winner, and multiple winner at Chicago, Miami, Minneapolis and St. Anthony's. Not to be forgotten, she contended for the lead and placed 4th at the 2009 ITU WCS Grand Final on the Gold Coast.

Both of these women are clutch big game performers - and epitomize great sportsmanship. Both have prepared with their usual perfection. And for reasons related to focus on this important race, Laura Bennett decided to decline a pre race interview.

Happily, Sarah Haskins shared her thoughts a month ago on this highly anticipated duel in the San Diego sun.

Slowtwitch: Is this coming ITU World Triathlon Series race and final USA Women’s Olympic selection event in San Diego that seems to pit you against Laura Bennett for the one remaining slot the biggest pressure you’ve faced in your triathlon career?

Sarah Haskins Kortuem: I get nervous and excited anytime I am stepping up to the line and testing myself. The Olympics is a very special event and I would love the opportunity to represent in London again. With the goal of qualifying, I will view the race just like any other "A" race; because that's simply what it is, a race.

ST: If not why?

Sarah: I will do everything I can to prepare for the race physically and mentally. At the end of the day, I will have the same internal pressure I place on myself every "A" race, which is to perform to the best of my abilities.

ST: If I am not mistaken, both you and Laura have a good relationship. Both of you are fine triathletes with great records and both of you have always exhibited great sportsmanship. Is it harder to race a friend than someone you don’t get along with?

Sarah: I highly respect Laura as a friend and athlete. When you are out on the race course, there is an understanding of the etiquette of competition. Whether I am racing a stranger or friend, it's about racing and the love of competition out on the race course.

ST: Could you please recall your most recent injury/injuries and tell us to what degree you have recovered?

Sarah: The last major injury sustained was in September of 2010 with a calf tear. I have been consistently injury free since I recovered from that injury and it has been wonderful to be able to train the past year without any major setbacks. I feel my training is at a great place at the moment and I am on track for the 2012 year.

ST: How does the San Diego course suit your abilities? Laura’s abilities?

Sarah: The course in San Diego will most likely be a wetsuit swim, flat bike and flat run. In the past my strengths have been racing in a wetsuit swim and pushing the pace on the bike. The thing about ITU racing is that you have to be prepared for any scenario. Laura is an amazing all round athlete and I can't say she has a weakness.

ST: Certainly the hill at Vancouver in 2008 suited your very strong biking abilities and provided a great opportunity for you and Helen Jenkins to break away and finish 1-2. Does the San Diego course have any opportunities like that?

Sarah: San Diego is a flat course; however, some of the toughest bike rides while racing have been on flat courses, so you never know.

ST: If not what bike strategy might be better suited to the course?

Sarah: We will see what plays out!

ST: Is there some danger to focus on match race tactics with Laura in San Diego?

Sarah: I will be racing Laura in San Diego, but I will also be racing all 68 of the other women in the race. I think it's important to race smart and not lose your overall focus in the race by singling out one person.

ST: Back in 2008, you came through in similar situation to grab the final US Women’s Olympic slot against Sarah Groff at Hy-Vee. What strategy did you employ that day? And might that not make sense on a similarly flat course in San Diego?

Sarah: Back in 2008, the Hy-Vee race was a different situation as the third race was the final score of a cumulation of two previous trials races. The combination of all three races lead to the Olympic qualification. The upcoming race in May does not have any bearing on previous races, so it is really just down to one race. Back in 2008, a combination of many different outcomes would have lead to a qualification on the 2008 team. This time I around I need to be the top American in the top nine (minus the two Americans who have already qualified if they place within the top 9).

ST: Obviously you want to be as prepared as you ever have for San Diego. What parts of your swim-bike-run game have you improved the most?

Sarah: I have been working on my weaknesses while not forgetting about my strengths. I have worked more on my bike power this season as well as getting more running volume and intensity in training. I have been training at sea level verses altitude this winter, so it has helped me to improve on power specific training. In addition, I have been able to recover faster with the extra oxygen.

ST: What mixture of hard work and taper will you employ?

Sarah: I have a couple of races in April: Lifetime Fitness Race to the Toyota Cup in South Beach, Miami on April 1st [she won] and St. Anthony's at the end of April [another win]. Both of those races will be great tests of my fitness. I have really been listening to my body on how hard to push and when to back off. I find it's important to not push too far over the edge, or else it will be detrimental to fitness due to a long forced recovery. I will have a rest before St. Anthony's and then between St. A's and trials, I will focus on keeping the body in check and in tune before May 11th.

ST: Is it possible / preferable to race less and train more? Or must you get race sharp with certain key races?

Sarah: I have decided this year to get in a long consistent training block with limited travel. I have been training in Florida since January and plan on racing in Florida three times before the May race. With this game plan, I would be able to train consistently; without the stress of travel. So far, I have been able to have a steady build in fitness for a long period of time. This current block of training will be the longest uninterrupted block in my career, so I am excited about that aspect! Believe me, after seven years of racing professionally, traveling the world has lost its luster!!

ST: Given your numerous injuries throughout the last five years, how near to your physical peak were you in Beijing? How close might you be this time?

Sarah: I went into Beijing as physically and mentally peaked as my body could be at that point in my career. I trained extremely hard leading into the race and was fit, especially on the swim and bike. I had an injury during that time which limited my run training; however, that is where my body was at that time. In the past three and a half years, I have learned so much more about training, racing and injury prevention. Now I am four years older, but four years wiser! I am excited for all the hard work this winter and spring to pay off and go for it! Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy training, but competition is my passion.

ST: How fast can you run an accurately measured 10k at the end o a triathlon today? In May?

Sarah: Right now I am focusing on making small gains every week. I am working towards pushing my lactate threshold in my run down by 5 seconds per mile, which does not sound like a lot, but it takes a lot of hard work to make those gains. It's very hard to put a set time on a 10k pace in triathlon because we don't run on a track. It's more about racing smart and placing. I look more for improvements from year to year on repeated courses (but the courses can even change year to year!). I am not focusing on a time, just effort in training and looking at my heart rate/pace/effort.