Terry Davis and his Tri-California crew founded the San Francisco Triathlon on Treasure Island in 2002 and this current Pan American Cup Olympic distance event has had a storied group of winners including 5-time ITU World Champion Simon Lessing, Greg Bennett, Hunter Kemper and Matt Reed among the men - and Laura Reback, Becky Lavelle, Julie Ertel and 2002 ITU World Champ Leanda Cave. This year, American Ben Collins and Canadian Tenille Hoogland broke through with elan on July 10 to take their very first professional victories.

Photos © Timothy Carlson

Elite man charges to the swim finish

Two good friends share a smile before the elite swim

Deep in thought

The men start - with San Francisco skyline in the background.

Men churning around lap one swim buoy

The new Bay Bridge under construction is in the background as swimmers round the second buoy.

Men charge of the ramp after the swim

Top women leave the water

Running to T1

2008 Olympian Julie Ertel rides in her first triathlon after the birth of twins in November.

Elite man rides Treasure Island with San Francisco skyline providing an elegant backdrop.

Riders finish lap one of the bike - with San Francisco looming across the Bay.

Ben Collins takes charge of the race on the run.

Steve Sexton charged past eight men on the run to take 2nd

John Dahlz runs in a tight pack of four men

Amanda Felder ran to 4th

Gwen Jorgenson of Milwaukee posted the fastest run of 35:26 on her way to 3rd place.

Tenille Hoogland enjoys the thrill of victory. Later that weekend, she tasted the agony of defeat rooting for the Netherlands - the country of her her European heritage - in the World Cup.

Gwen Jorgenson was the final member of the women's podium to arrive at the Treasure Island finish.

Steve Sexton ran 34:33 to finish 2nd.