Gwen Jorgensen surges back to the Olympic picture with second in Huatulco

It wasn’t a win – that would go to Mexico’s Anahi Alvarez Corral – but after a disastrous day at the World Triathlon Championship Series Cagliari, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Gwen Jorgensen bounced back with an impressive runner-up finish at the World Triathlon Cup Huatulco.

Jorgensen and fellow American Katie Zaferes, who is also making a run at a spot at the Paris Olympics after having a child last year, were out of the water near the leaders. A large lead group of 40 that included the two Americans and Canadian Dominika Jamnicky would hit T2 together, setting up a fast run for the medals.

Alvarez quickly separated herself from the rest of the field, running clear and never looking back as she cruised to the win. Jorgensen was happy with her finish, especially since she was sick leading into the race.

“I was just trying to hold on to everything I could, I have had a really rough week actually, I have been sick, all I have eaten for the past five days is rice and I graduated to bananas yesterday,” Jorgensen said. “I was just really proud that I was able to come out here and finish.”

“I know I am fit and Cagliari was a race that I just mentally really choked,” she continued. “To come out and perform at a level I know I am, is something I am really happy with.”

“The bike was all about maintaining position. I had a horrible T2, I actually dropped my glasses so I went back to grab them, I didn’t want a penalty. I have had a history of performing badly in the heat so I was probably a little conservative on the first lap. I am just happy to come away with a podium, one step short of what I wanted it to be, but I have it my all today.”

Jamnicky found herself in a three-way sprint for the final spot on the podium.

“I had a sprint with Mercedes (Romero Orozco) a month ago and I knew it was going to be a showdown,” added Jamnicky. “Unfortunately, she got the best of me today as well as Charlotte McShane (AUS), but I’m really happy, and hopefully we can keep this rolling from here.”

Other Canadians in the field included Sophia Howell (25th), Camille Larocque (50th) and Desirae Ridenour (DNF)