Podium Finish is a WCS First for U.S. Women
USA Triathlon
women’s race | men’s race
Huerta Takes 24th, Bennett Grabs 25th to Pace American Men
In the men’s race on Saturday, USA Triathlon Project 2012 program member Manuel Huerta battled rainy conditions to place 24th overall and finish as the top U.S. competitor Saturday in the third event of the 2011 ITU World Championship Series.
Huerta (Miami, Fla.) logged a time of 1 hour, 54 minutes, 4 seconds on the Olympic-distance course to finish six seconds ahead of No. 2 American Greg Bennett (Boulder, Colo.), who placed 25th in 1:54:10.
Matt Chrabot (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who was fourth in Kitzbühel a year ago, finished 37th in 1:55:11.
Great Britain’s Alistair Brownlee essentially led wire-to-wire in wet, windy and cold conditions to break the tape in 1:51:54 – 44 seconds clear of the field. Russia’s Alexander Brukhankov and Switzerland’s Sven Riederer finished second and third. Click here for a complete recap from ITU.
The Americans rode with the lead pack for much of the bike leg until Brownlee and two others gained a 30-second advantage on the field on a late break entering T2. From there, Brownlee cruised to the victory on the 10k run.
Through three events, Bennett ranks as the top U.S. men’s athlete in the WCS rankings at 43rd. Jarrod Shoemaker (Maynard, Mass.), who did not compete Saturday, stands 44th, while Huerta is 45th.
The women’s race is slated for 6:30 a.m. EDT Sunday with a live webcast on triathlonlive.tv. Laura Bennett (Boulder, Colo.), Sarah Groff (Hanover, N.H.), Sarah Haskins (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jillian Petersen (Colorado Springs, Colo.) comprise a strong group of Americans on the start list.
The seven-race WCS is a key proving ground for the United States’ top triathletes aiming for a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team. In addition to racing for WCS points, athletes also will be looking to earn points toward securing a spot for their country at the 2012 Olympic Triathlon in London.
Highlights of this year’s World Championship Series schedule include the first qualifier for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team in London on Aug. 6-7 and the Grand Final on the 2008 Olympic course in Beijing on Sept. 10-11.
Results
1. Alistair Brownlee (GBR), 1:51:54
2. Alexander Brukhankov (RUS), 1:52:38
3. Sven Riederer (SUI), 1:52:59
24. Manuel Huerta (Miami, Fla.), 1:54:04
25. Greg Bennett (Boulder, Colo.), 1:54:10
37. Matt Chrabot (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 1:55:11
DNF Mark Fretta (Portland, Ore.)
