There was lots for Gwen Jorgensen to smile about after WTCS Sunderland.
For not only did Sunday see the 2016 Olympic champion produce by far the most encouraging display since her return to the sport – she was also presented with a British Army drill cane after meeting a military Jorgensen superfan!
In the thick of the action
To the race first of all and Jorgensen put the United States Mixed Relay team right back in the mix on the second leg.
When the handover came at the end of leg one from Chase McQueen she started in 14th place and had a 10-second gap to make up on the athlete just ahead of her.
But a great swim from both her and Hungary’s Zsanett Bragmayer put them into contention and on the back of the chase pack on the bike.
That group combined superbly with the likes of Norway’s Lotte Miller to bridge the gap and suddenly it was all back together with Jorgensen’s trademark run speed still to come and she powered the USA to third place at the end of the leg.
Her leg split time was 22:27, not only the fastest of the day for the women but a whopping 19 seconds clear of next best Beth Potter in 22:46. Third was Cassandre Beaugrand in 23:07, albeit that did include serving a 10-seconds penalty which still didn’t prevent France from winning the gold medal.
‘My best moments came off the race course’
But writing on Instagram later it was clear that a couple of chance meetings gave Jorgensen just as much – if not more – pleasure.
Posting a photo of her receiving the drill cane from Colour Sergeant Shaun Durkin of the 8 RIFLES unit, who were there with the British Army as part of the podium presentations, she wrote: “What a day today. Fastest female relay split (by 19 seconds) but my best moments came off the race course. This moment and one other with a peer made me realize how kind people can be and how much difference one interaction can make.”
Colour Sergeant Durkin is a huge fan of Jorgensen’s and was delighted to have a photo taken with the American star, who also gave him her signed swim cap from the relay.
In return he gave her the baton, to which Gwen responded: “Can’t wait to show my son, Stanley.”
‘A day I will never forget’
We caught up with Shaun afterwards to find out more and he told us: “I’ve always been a huge fan of Gwen, she has had an outstanding career and I’ve loved watching her race on TV but the weekend was my first live event.
“So it’s the first time I have met her and I’m still pinching myself now. I’m glad I got photos to prove it actually happened!
“They say don’t meet your idols as you may be disappointed, well I can say hand on heart I am the total opposite. Not only is Gwen fierce and tough in competing but in person she is so kind and humble and generally amazing. I am so privileged to have met my idol and it is a day I will never forget.”
The icing on the cake was seeing the superb performance Jorgensen produced, with Shaun adding: “I think it sums Gwen up nicely. USA placed 14th when she went into the water and then third when she finished. Her run was unbelievable, I honestly have no words as to how well she did yesterday.”
Jorgensen has returned to the sport after seven years out when she started a family and focussed on running – her goal is to make the US Mixed Relay squad for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
And while there’s incredible strength-in-depth on the female side for the Americans, Sunday’s performance was a timely reminder of just what Jorgensen could offer if she’s able to get more opportunities.
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