With 18 World Cups in her hand, the newly crowned world triathlon champion Vanessa Fernandes takes automatic high-profile gesture towards the Beijing Olympic Games.
Fernandes from Portugal just put on a gala of three Beijing World Cup victory in a row. The victory on Saturday is special as it's accomplished on the exact Olympic course after competing against world top ten.
Fernandes is also the World Championship winner two weeks ago in Hamburg, Germany. The dominant athlete in women's elite triathlon is considered the favorite at the Olympic Games.
But the 22-year-old would rather to be regarded as a candidate instead of favorite.
"It's just a race for preparation of Olympic Games, and it won't be the same in the Olympic Games," said Fernandes after winning at the Beijing World Cup.
"Of course I hope to win the Olympic Games. Sometimes you have to think about it, but it requires a lot.
"I got a lot to do towards the Olympic Games and further on to a lot of races. I am only 22."
"What I can do is to try to be my best on the Olympics and the hunger to win for my country motivates me."
The other two podium finishers Emma Snowsill and Laura Bennett splashed credit to Fernandes.
"She (Fernandes) is an extremely consistent triathlete. Every year she got stronger and stronger," said Snowsill, world No. 2 from Australia.
"That's what makes her invincible."
Bennett, who just qualified as the first U.S. triathlete for the Olympics, shared Snowsill's comments.
"She is so consistent since she started training at the age of 15. She is a effecient and professional athlete," said Bennett of U.S., world No. 9.
"You just feel Vanessa is stepping up every year. You have to be all-around in order to reach the top."
(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2007)