HUNTER KEMPER
Age: 36
Resides: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Why he’ll qualify: A three-time Olympian, Kemper’s name is synonymous with the sport of triathlon. In 2005, be became the first-ever American male triathlete to be ranked No. 1 in the world by the International Triathlon Union (ITU). And last year, he showed no signs of slowing down; nabbing a World Cup win in Ishigaki, Japan, and a collection of podium finishes in other top-notch races, including a third-place performance at the Edmonton World Cup. A bad crash in October’s Myrtle Beach Pan American Cup cost him the rest of the season, but Kemper remains as focused as ever on earning his fourth-straight trip to the Olympics. “I love what the Olympic Movement is all about, which is why I’ve been pursuing an Olympic medal for most of my professional triathlon career,” he says.
Potential obstacles: Kemper is still recuperating from surgery to repair a bad break to his left elbow after his Myrtle Beach crash. “The recovery has been difficult,” he admits. And because he likely will not enter any events prior to San Diego, he may be a bit rusty on race day. Still, Kemper remains optimistic. “Right now, I’m just enjoying the journey as I take it day by day focusing on the present and the process of becoming a better triathlete,” he says.
MANUEL HUERTA
Age: 28
Resides: Miami, Fla.
Why he’ll qualify: For the past few seasons, Huerta has been steadily clawing his way to the top of the pro standings. He set the stage for a promising Olympic campaign last October with a relatively surprising second-place at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico and additional top-10 finishes at the Guatape and Huatulco World Cups. And in February, Huerta showed strength and grit against a top-notch field at the Bridgetown ITU Sprint Triathlon Pan American Cup; finishing on the heels of 2007 ITU World Champion Daniel Unger of Germany and Leonardo Chacon of Costa Rica.
Potential obstacles: A relatively green pro, Huerta lacks the experience of his veteran compatriots. And while he should be among the most solid cyclists in the field, he’ll have to post a strong swim — and an even stronger run — in order to stay with triple-threats like Kemper and Shoemaker. “I’ve been working on my run [for a year now],” says Huerta. “But overall, the most important thing for me is to stay healthy and mentally motivated.”
A Hoboken, N.J.-based writer, Sarah Wassner Flynn is a regular contributor to Triathlete magazine,
triathlete.com, and
espnw.com, among other publications. Mom to Eamon, 3, and Nora, 1, Sarah has also written several nonfiction books for children and teens, including National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A., out this spring.
OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION PROCESS
• Athletes are constantly racing to earn points to improve their standing on the ITU Olympic Qualification List, which can help assure the U.S. of earning the maximum three slots per gender at the 2012 Olympic Games.
• At the 2011 London WCS event (Aug. 6-7), the two highest-placing eligible U.S. athletes per gender qualified for the Games, provided they placed among the event’s top nine finishers. Gwen Jorgensen and Sarah Groff qualified in this manner.
• Any eligible athlete who did not qualify in London and places in the top nine at the San Diego World Triathlon Series event will qualify for the team, depending on the number of slots remaining.
• Any slots available following the automatic selection process will be filled by a discretionary selection. Discretionary selections could entail potential medalists or an athlete who can assist the medal-potential athletes through specific team tactics.
• If there still is a spot (or spots) remaining after the two qualification events and one discretionary selection, they are awarded based on placing at the San Diego WTS event.
48 USA TRIATHLON SPRING 2012
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