Gwen Jorgensen continued her stellar world cup form in France yesterday, as the Olympic gold medalist picked up her seventh podium on the circuit since June 2023.
Finishing third behind Laura Lindemann and Georgia Taylor-Brown at the Lievin World Triathlon Indoor Cup, Jorgensen again underlined her credentials for a spot on the US Olympic team.
Securing her slot for WTCS Yokohama, which will be held in May and plays a crucial role in the US selection policy for Paris, the Boulder based pro demonstrated why she will be one to watch on race day in Japan.
“One mistake and your day is over”
Racing indoors for the first time, Jorgensen praised the exhilarating race format and credited the crowd in Lievin for creating a brilliant atmosphere.
“Third place for me at the first ever indoor World Cup. The race was 10 minutes long but it might as well have been 10 seconds. The format was 3 rounds of a 150m swim/3km bike/1km run.
“One mistake and your day is over, much like a 100m dash. The qualifiers and semifinals were more nerve racking than the final. I came to win, but finished with third behind a well deserving Laura Lindemann and Georgia Taylor-Brown who out did me.
“After Abu Dhabi being canceled I wanted to race against the best and this race gave me that opportunity. Racing in a stadium was unique and super fun.
“It was reinvigorating and uplifting to see and hear so many fans cheering for us (a triathlon!) It made me feel like this sport still has more to give and I’m here for it.”
“This comeback has been anything but easy”
For Jorgensen, who returned to the sport last year after a significant hiatus and the birth of her second son, another podium against such great competition is a massive confidence boost.
Thanks to her performance in Lievin, she achieved her objective of cementing her place on the start list in Yokohama and can now hone in on the areas she needs to improve to be competitive on the biggest stage.
“This comeback has been anything but easy, and I’m grateful. Grateful for this opportunity, grateful to get to do new things, I feel like I’m just getting started.
“Up next is a training block and then Yokohama. One of the main reasons I went to Lievin was to secure my spot/points for Yokohama and I did just that! Next stop: Yokohama WTCS.”
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