HAMBURG, GERMANY — Hampstead's Katie Zaferes won her first World Triathlon Series title Saturday, with Olympic teammate Gwen Jorgensen placing third.
Zaferes finished among the top three for the first time. She was timed in 57 minutes, 3 seconds for the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike race and 5-kilometer run. She won five silver medals and one bronze on the WTS circuit last season.
In the men's race, Mario Mola of Spain won in 52:19, followed by Australia's Jake Birtwhistle in 52:36 for silver in a photo finish with Spain's Fernando Alarza, who took the bronze in the same time. Richard Murray of South Africa crossed the line second but was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The United States Olympic team announced in May that Zaferes will be the third and final female American triathlete on this year's squad. She qualified after a world triathlon event in Yokohama, Japan, on May 14, the penultimate day to secure a spot on the team.
"It means so much to me to be named to the 2016 Rio Olympic Team," Zaferes said in May. "In a country where the women's field is so competitive, I am honored to get the opportunity to represent the USA. I can't wait to join Gwen and Sarah in Rio — I have had high hopes of joining them after finishing on the podium with them twice last year."