Helen Jenkins recorded a spectacular victory on Saturday at the ITU World Triathlon Series event in San Diego winning by a huge margin over Erin Densham of Australia.
Jenkins was part of a group of eight swimmers that broke away at the start and maintained a lead onto the bike. The group, which also included Britain’s Vicky Holland and some very strong cyclists, demonstrated that a breakaway group can stay away on the bike by working extremely well with each other.
Holland took up the running out of the second transition, but Jenkins quickly gained the lead at the start of the 10km run and pulled away with Erin Densham of Australia.
Densham won the previous round of the Series in Sydney with Jenkins taking second place, but this time Jenkins opened up a huge winning margin between the pair.
Jenkins had time to celebrate with the crowd before Densham finished over a minute later and the rest of the field fought hard to impress their respective Olympic selectors in one of the final major races before the Games.
Jenkins said afterwards, “We really had to work hard for that, the plan was always to try and get away. I really enjoyed the run course.
“There were lots of people out there supporting. The British coaches were out there, the support staff and my husband and they all really helped.
“Everything is going really well. I’ve just got to keep it in perspective, get home and get back into my training and keep focussed on London.”
Holland was upbeat before the start, saying, “make no mistake, I’ll give it everything.” The 26 year old, originally from Gloucester, equalled her best ever performance in the ITU World Triathlon Series with fifth place.
Liz Blatchford was the next highest finishing British athlete in 16th, Non Stanford was 21st, Lois Rosindale 30th, Vanessa Raw 37th and Jodie Stimpson 45th.
Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Photo credit: ITU/Rich Cruse
