Helen Jenkins of Great Britain outdueled Erin Densham of Australia while Laura Bennett's 3rd place finish earned her the third and final U.S. women's 2012 Olympic team slot at the ITU World Triathlon Series event in San Diego.
Jenkins dominated the event with a closing 33:34 run that brought her to the line in 1:58:20 with a 65-seconds margin of victory over Australian Erin Densham. Densham had put up a tough fight and early on during the run, and it looked like she might be the one taking the title. But Jenkins hung tough and was stronger in the second half of the run and stormed to the win.
"It was just such a good race, we really had to work really hard for that. I really pushed the swim and we really worked hard on the bike and that was hard all the way," said Jenkins. "I really enjoyed the run course, it was really cool, there was so many people out there supporting…it was awesome."
Densham though likely locked up the Australian women's Olympic squad number two spot after her dominating victories at the Mooloolaba World Cup and the Sydney round of the ITU World Triathlon Series.
"I was hurting out there, I just hope I’ve done enough. Ideally I would have taken a break after Sydney and not raced here, but I’ve had to push through and I really do hope that’s enough," said Densham.
Bennett finished 3rd, 1:51 back of Jenkins and 46 seconds back of Densham. In prevailing in the predicted duel with countrywoman Sarah Haskins, who started the run on Bennett's heels but faded to 8th place at the finish, Laura Bennett locked up her second straight Olympic slot. Bennett was 2nd alternate on the 2000 U.S. Women's Olympic Triathlon team and 1st alternate for the 2004 Olympic squad and placed 4th in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
"I put a lot of pressure on this day, last year in London I just had a terrible day for some reason, I’m still just not quite sure what happened. In the end I think it was a blessing in disguise because there was things that I changed in my training that I wouldn’t have changed if I had made the team and I think it has made me a better athlete," said Bennett.
Vicky Holland most likely helped her Olympic quest with that 5th place finish for Great Britain, while it would seem that the on form Flora Duffy in 6th place locked up her selection for Bermuda.
ITU World Triathlon San Diego
San Diego, California
May 11, 2012
S 1.5k / 40k / R 10k
Elite Women Results
1. Helen Jenkins (GBR) 1:58:21
2. Erin Densham (AUS) 1:59:26
3. Laura Bennett (USA) 2:00:11
4. Jessica Harrison (FRA) 2:00:14
5. Vicky Holland (GBR) 2:00:28
6. Flora Duffy (BER) 2:00:46
7. Anne Haug (GER) 2:00:50
8. Sarah Haskins (USA) 2:00:56
9. Emma Moffatt (AUS) 2:01:18
10. Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) 2:01:33
