BEIJING, China - Vancouver's Lauren Groves finished 19th at today's Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup, the official test event for next summer's Olympics, becoming the first Canadian woman to secure her spot on the Olympic team. After finishing in the top 16 at the Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships two weeks ago, Groves was assured of an Olympic berth provided two other Canadian women did not finish in the top eight today. Edmonton's Carolyn Murray led the Canadians with a 15th place finish which increases her chances for a spot on the Olympic team.

This weekend's world cup stop in Beijing was the third of three designated Olympic qualifiers Triathlon Canada established for 2007. It was a disappointing outing for the other two Canadians Kathy Tremblay and Kirsten Sweetland as both pulled out early in the bike leg. After a promising start to the 2007 season that included a world cup win in Richards Bay, South Africa, Sweetland has failed to finish in all three Olympic qualifiers, putting her Beijing chances in jeopardy.

Newly crowned world champion Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal continued her mastery of Beijing, winning her third straight title on the Olympic course. In typical fashion, Fernandes stormed out to the early lead in the run and never let go, obliterating the field by more than a full minute. The world number one has to be considered the pre-Olympic favorite and the gold standard in women's triathlon after claiming her 18th career world cup title and fifth of 2007. Aussie Emma Snowsill finished second while Laura Bennett came third, becoming the first American to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team as the top American in this designated qualifier.

2007 Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup - Final Women's Results:
1st - Vanessa Fernandes (POR) 2:00:36
2nd - Emma Snowsill (AUS) 2:01:51
3rd - Laura Bennett (USA) 2:02:06
15th - Carolyn Murray (CAN) 2:04:02
19th - Lauren Groves (CAN) 2:04:51
DNF - Kathy Tremblay (CAN)
DNF - Kirsten Sweetland (CAN)

As the official test event for the Olympic Games, many National Federations are using this world cup as part of their selection process.

For full results, schedule, race reports, athlete quotes and high-resolution images, visit the ITU's Online Media Centre: Triathlon.org

Up next:
The elite men will take on Beijing on Sunday at 10am (UTC/GMT +8 hours). Frenchman Frederic Belaubre is the only man to make the podium in Beijing each of the last two years but 2000 Olympic Gold medalist Simon Whitfield and a host of challengers will be eager to show they can win on the Olympic course.

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