Gwen Jorgensen didn’t take up triathlon until 2010. She took to it rather quickly, qualifying for the 2012 Olympics. She was unlucky there, suffering a flat tire on the bike stage.
This year, she became the first U.S. woman to win a World Triathlon Series event in April. Then she did again. And again, over the weekend in Stockholm, where she blasted her way through the 10k running phase to win by 49 seconds.
That’s three wins and the No. 1 overall ranking headed into the series finale. And she’ll take this week’s Woly Award, given to the best U.S. performance in Olympic sports.
The playlist includes Jorgensen’s win, Lashawn Merritt and David Oliver (but not Francena McCorory, for whom I couldn’t find video) winning in their penultimate Diamond League races, a bit of archery and rugby, and a surprising amount of winter sports. Yes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Sochi. New Zealand welcomed a lot of skiers and snowboarders last week, including such snowboard dignitaries as Kelly Clark and Gretchen Bleiler.
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Other items you’ll find in the Team USA roundup: a medal for the U.S. slalom kayakers, AVP beach volleyball, U.S. short-track speedskating qualifiers, and a fifth-place mixed-relay finish in modern pentathlon.
World Championships this week: Rowing, judo, mountain bike, rhythmic gymnastics, more modern pentathlon. Also half of the Diamond League track and field finals. Yes, half. I don’t make the rules. I’ll have a preview of sorts later in the week.
Duresport.com 