THE START OF THE SEASON

“Tri”-umphs and Tribulations

After a short recovery from travels to Abu Dhabi and Cuba in February, our elite triathletes resumed their 2025 campaign at Americas Cup races in La Paz, Mexico and Miami, Florida at the end of March.

The America’s Cup races are the introductory level of World Triathlon Olympic-style races and offer a great opportunity for Olympic hopefuls who are working their way through the ranks to rub shoulders on the start line with Olympic medalists who are shaking off the rust from a very brief off-season.

Vannerson Doubles up in Mexico and Miami

Reese Vannerson, a member of the USAT Mallow U25 National Team who trains with USAT’s Project Podium squad, built on the experience he gained from his top 5 finish at the Napier World Cup a few weeks earlier and took the win at the America’s cup in La Paz, Mexico. Sharing the podium with Vannerson was his teammate, Sullivan Middaugh, who is also having a great early 2025 coming off his 9^th- place finish in Napier.

Vannerson struck gold again at the Americas Cup Miami on March 28, where he unleashed the fastest run of the day to break the tape in front of a number of top athletes from around the world, including Team USA Olympic Silver medalist, Seth Rider, who finished 4^th in his first race of the season and American Darr Smith, who stood on the podium with a 3^rd place finish.

Seth and Darr pushed the pace in a breakaway on the bike that dropped Vannerson and a few other top athletes before Vannerson stormed back on the run, regaining the lead and never looking back.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

USA Triathlon Team Development Women Go Down in Mexico

The Americas Cup La Paz was not as successful for the USA Triathlon Team women as the danger-filled bike course led to a crash that would eliminate America’s top contenders. The race-course claimed victims Danielle Orie, Kelly Wetteland, Caroline Theil, Elenor Beveridge, and Naomi Ruff.

These are names that may not be as recognizable as Team USA Olympic Gold medalist, Gwen Jorgensen, but they will be soon.

Olympic Champ Shines in Miami, Florida

While most of the athletes involved in the crash in La Paz weren’t able to compete the next week in Miami due to their injuries, Orie and Ruff bounced back with top finishes in the sunshine state alongside National Team athletes Gina Sereno and Gwen Jorgensen.

Sereno led out of the water and rode well on the bike that took place on the Homestead Miami NASCAR race track, but limited run training due to recovery from a recent injury slowed her on the run that is usually her strength, dropping her to 6^th place. Finishing just ahead of Sereno was Ruff, the 2024 NCAA Champion, in 5^th , and Orie, who climbed onto the podium with a 3^rd- place finish.

Jorgensen stole the race on the run, the only athlete to break the 17-minute barrier for the hot and windy 5-kilometer run leg, displaying her dominance on home soil to take the win over up-and-coming Mexican U23 triathlete Marcela Alvarez Solis.

EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY: JULY 2025

Elite Mountain Training Awaits Top Junior Athletes

It's the opportunity rising stars have been waiting for!

This July 1-6, USA Triathlon brings an exceptional training experience to Utah Olympic Park in Park City. Our most promising junior athletes (ages 15-19) will train in the same environment as our Olympic development squad, with exclusive access to world-class facilities and expert coaching.

Train Like Project Podium

Experience the daily training environment of USA Triathlon's Project Podium athletes with specialized equipment and dedicated recovery areas. This isn't just another camp – it's high-performance training at altitude under elite guidance.

All-Star Coaching Team

Parker Spencer, head coach of Project Podium and 2022 USA Triathlon Olympic Coach of the Year, brings his development expertise that has produced over 50 international elite podiums.

Alicia Kaye, former USA Triathlon National Team member who began her international career at just 16, provides the perfect blueprint for aspiring champions with experience from junior competition to her impressive 5th place at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Camp Essentials:

• Dates: July 1-6, 2025

• Location: Utah Olympic Park, Park City

• Who: Dedicated triathletes ages 15-19

• Limited Spots: Register now for this exclusive opportunity!

REGISTER TODAY

The road to LA 2028 continues, and for our junior athletes, it runs straight through Park City this summer!