Complete Gwensanity in Auckland
Gwen Jorgensen put on an amazing show at WTS Auckland with a great swim, bike, run performance and captured a record 10th WTS title, with a huge gap over runner-up and fellow American Katie Zafares. Andrea Hewitt grabbed 3rd place.
The 2012 race in Auckland was marred by heavy rain, very wet conditions and many crashes, and early morning rain this year hinted at possibly the same scenario. The rain however stopped and the course dried out just in time for the women to start their 1500m swim, 43.2k bike and 10k run event.
During the first 750 meters of the swim a group of 9 established and included Carolina Routier (ESP), Lucy Hall (GBR), Jessica Learmonth (GBR), Rebecca Clark (NZL), Simone Ackermann (NZL), Pâmella Oliveira (BRA), Margit Vanek (HUN), Sarah True (USA) and Kate Zafares (USA). They had established an 8 second advantage when counting from the last athlete in their group to the chasing main bunch led by Yuko Takahashi (JAP). Routier set the pace up front and over the next 750 meters the advantage grew larger and when Routier exited the water in 19:50 the 9 athletes were 31 seconds ahead of the chasers.
Once on the bike the 9 women attacked the challenging course in downtown Auckland but appeared to be riding without full commitment. The chase was on hard and they pulled back 15 seconds each lap, and the catch was made right after the 3rd lap (of the scheduled 8) began. Lisa Norden (SWE) was among those pushing the pace among the chasers and she then attacked shortly after, but did not get away. She tried again, but to no avail.
The front bunch that contained roughly 30 athletes after the initial catch started to shrink as the tough course and the pace set by Norden started to take a toll. After 30k only 12 athletes were left and in addition to Norden the group contained Sarah True, Katie Zafares, Gwen Jorgensen (USA), Emma Moffatt (AUS), Vendula Frintova (CZE), Lucy Hall, Sarah-Anne Brault (CAN), Andrea Hewitt (NZL), Lisa Perterer (AUT), Yuka Sato (JAP) and Simone Ackermann. Zafares was also seen often at the front, especially when pushing up the climb. Another instigator up front was the Austrian Perterer. Moffatt was dangling most of the ride, and looked to be struggling.
Jorgensen had a fantastic swim-bike day and put herself into great position for the 10k closing run. Norden was first in T2 but Jorgensen was just 1 second behind her and that spelled big trouble for all those in the group with her, and even more so those who were minutes behind. Hewitt was second into transition, but the popular Kiwi had to serve a 15-second penalty somewhere during the run for littering on the bike course.
Frintova charged first out of transition with Jorgensen right on her heels, but that did not last very long and the tall American was soon running alone up front. Hewitt also moved past Frintova, but still had to serve the penalty.
Jorgensen quickly ran into a different area code and was completely in control after 1km of the 10km run. As the run continued and the gap got larger, rain started to come down and streets started to get wet.
After 5k Zafares was running in 2nd position, 41 seconds behind Jorgensen, with Frintova about 50 seconds back and Hewitt 55. The gap kept widening and Twitter and other social media portals were filled with #Gwensanity comments as the American charged to her dominating win.
Hewitt served her penalty with 2.5k to go and reeled in Frintova to move into third position. But up front two Americans shined brightly, Jorgensen with that amazing win, and Zafaras with a fantastic runner-up spot, though a massive 1:38 behind. Hewitt held on to the final podium spot 1:53 behind Jorgensen.
Today’s victory was Jorgensen's 10th World Triathlon Series win – a terrific feat. The one-two American finish was a repeat of the Abu Dhabi performance a few weeks ago and a very promising sign for USA Triathlon and American fans as the Olympic Games in Rio are starting to come into focus.
“I really wanted to be with the leaders into T2 and was thrilled that it happened,” said Jorgensen. “And with the USA going 1 and 2 that made it even better.”
WTS Auckland
Auckland, NZL / March 29, 2015
1.5k swim / 43.2k bike / 10k run
Top women
1. Gwen Jorgensen (USA) 2:09:04
2. Katie Zafares (USA) 2:10:42
3. Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 2:10:58
4. Vendula Frintova (CZE) 2:11:23
5. Lisa Perterer (AUT) 2:11:40
6. Emma Moffatt (AUS) 2:11:43
7. Yuka Sato (JAP) 2:12:02
8. Sarah True (USA) 2:12:22
9. Sarah-Anne Brault (CAN) 2:12:35
10. Simone Ackermann (NZL) 2:12:57
