Manuel Huerta weighs 123 pounds and stands 5-feet 7. Despite a silver at the Pan Am Games last year, the Cuban-born 28-year old was a long shot for the U.S. Olympic team. After Saturday, he stands tall thanks to the power of a fiercely held dream.

The 2012 San Diego ITU World Triathlon Series women’s event was the second round in the ITU’s premier worldwide series. This event also decided the final U.S. Women’s Olympic Triathlon team. Photo Gallery by Timothy Carlson.

Jonathan Brownlee swam well, rode aggressively on the bike and then stomped on the competition during the run to win the ITU WTS San Diego. Hunter Kemper and Manuel Huerta earned the coveted US Olympic spots.

Michael Raelert crushed the competition at the Thomas Cook Ironman 70.3 Mallorca in 3:57:08. Emma-Kate Lidbury successfully defended her title in the second edition of this event.

When two great triathletes and good friends are pitted against one another in a struggle for the last ticket to the London Olympics, the victor’s thoughts are bittersweet and the vanquished fights off tears as she maintains a brave face.

Helen Jenkins dominated the ITU World Triathlon San Diego, Erin Densham took 2nd, and Laura Bennett placed 3rd and thus earned the third and final U.S. women’s Olympic slot.

Andy Potts and Angela Naeth took the titles at the 2012 Ironman 70.3 St. Croix and here is a gallery courtesy of photographer Justin Fabian.

This week we introduce you to inGAMBA tours, the new Osmo Nutrition brand, a book by Sheila Taormina, the very cool Pebble Watch and the Amazing Man of Iron t-shirt.

Today we present another fine image gallery from the 2012 AVIA Wildflower Triathlon festival and all these photos are courtesy of our Kerry Yndestad.

Sarah Haskins, the 2008 ITU World Championship silver medalist, 2008 Olympian, 2009 and 2011 Race to the Toyota Cup champion will duel Laura Bennett for the last U.S. women’s Olympic slot.

Jarrod Shoemaker crashed into the Olympic limelight by taking the first 2008 Olympic US men’s slot; now he’s coming back from two 2011 crashes that left him with a concussion and a strained neck and it’s do or die time for Olympic slots Saturday.

Jordan Rapp will be competing on a Specialized Shiv Tri S-Works this year and we had a closer look at his very clean setup, and we mean clean in more than one way.

Opinions will clearly be divided when it comes to objects of desire and that is actually a good thing. Here though are 6 of the most desirable triathlon bikes in the opinion of this editor.

One former pro triathlete has moved onto a new challenge: the longest solo swim in history. Paul Lundgren will attempt the first solo Sea of Cortez crossing, which would set an unassisted world record.

The 2012 Revolution3 Triathlon Knoxville was won by Greg Bennett and Kelly Williamson and here is a stunning picture gallery.

Andy Potts took the win at the 2012 Ironman 70.3 St. Croix but had to catch Lance Armstrong to do so. Angela Naeth stormed to the women’s title in course record time despite a flat late in the bike segment,

Greg Bennett ran down Cameron Dye to take the title at the 2012 Rev3 Knoxville in 1:47:02. Kelly Williamson had been close before, but this time she stepped onto the very top of the podium.

With a very busy race schedule this weekend, here is a roundup of other events from around the globe, ranging from Ironman St. George to the ITU Triathlon World Cup Huatulco.

Jesse Thomas broke 4 hours and won his second straight Wildflower long course and Heather Jackson broke the course record while winning her first half Ironman distance race. Photo Gallery by Timothy Carlson.

Jesse Thomas talks about entering the exclusive sub-4 hour club with his second win at Wildflower and Heather Jackson explains how she made her dreams of a breakthrough win come true.

Jesse Thomas ran away from the competition to repeat his title at the AVIA Wildflower Long Course Triathlon. Heather Jackson showed great running speed to take the women’s race over Linsey Corbin in course record time.

20-year old Aussie James Hodge surprised quite a few seasoned Pros at the SunSmart Ironman 70.3 Busselton by taking the win. Felicity Sheedy-Ryan ran down Lisa Marangon and Kate Bevilaqua to take the women’s title.

Wildflower celebrates its 30th anniversary with a new Stairway of Champions; former champs and current contenders prep for another great duel. Photo Gallery by Timothy Carlson.

We examine several patents held by cycling and triathlon companies, and the competitive boxing match that ensues. Are the original products still the best, or is newer always better? Read on.