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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The domestic draft-legal triathlon season — and the lead-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games — kicks off in earnest Saturday with the 2012 Clermont (Fla.) ITU Sprint Triathlon Pan American Cup at Lake Louisa State Park.

Held in conjunction with the Draft Legal Challenge at Clermont, the event features a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run for the nearly 90 top international athletes slated to compete. The men’s elite race will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern, followed by the women at 3:30 p.m.

Three USA Triathlon National Team members are scheduled to open their seasons in Clermont — 2012 U.S. Olympic qualifier Gwen Jorgensen (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Beijing Olympians Sarah Haskins (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jarrod Shoemaker (Clermont, Fla.).

Also one of the event organizers, Shoemaker was the runner-up in Clermont a year ago. He is joined in the field by USA Triathlon Project 2016 standout Kaleb VanOrt (Mishawaka, Ind.) and a host of other up-and-coming U.S. elites. Visit triathlon.org for a complete men’s start list.

Haskins and Jorgensen, who have been training in Clermont this spring, earned podium finishes at this event in 2011 by finishing second and third, respectively. USA Triathlon Project 2016 athletes Lauren Goss (Clermont, Fla.) and Kaitlin Shiver (Melbourne, Fla.), as well as Clermont residents Sara McLarty and Alica Kaye, Shoemaker’s wife, also highlight the U.S. athletes in action. Visit triathlon.org for a complete women’s start list.

The day also features draft-legal age group events, a non-drafting age group race and youth F1 events. The men’s draft-legal race is sold out at 75 competitors. In all, athletes from 26 states will compete. Visit draftlegalchallenge.com for more information.

About USA Triathlon
Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon – one of the fastest growing sports in the world – as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. USA Triathlon sanctions 4,000 races and connects with more than 150,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including ITU World Championships, Pan American Games and the Summer Olympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the International Triathlon Union and the United States Olympic Committee.