Olympic spots at stake for Duffy and Butterfield By Derek Dechabert Published May 5, 2012 at 7:08 am

Olympic spots at stake for Duffy and Butterfield

By Derek Dechabert

Published May 5, 2012 at 7:08 am (Updated May 5, 2012 at 7:08 am)

Comments ( 1 )

      Make text smaller Make text larger ShareThis

Photos

• 
  
  Flora Duffy

Flora Duffy and Tyler Butterfield will be looking to consolidate their places in the Olympic rankings as they head into a triathlon in Mexico this weekend.

With three races remaining, Duffy is on course to secure her ticket to the London Games this summer.

But Butterfield’s position is more precarious as he currently holds down the final spot among those who will qualify.

The world’s top 55, when all points for the season are totalled, will be eligible to compete in London and at present Duffy sits in 47th position.

“I am currently qualified for the Olympics but there are three more races which count so as long as I maintain my Olympic ranking I should be fine,” said Duffy yesterday.

“Olympic qualification points are gained through racing in World Cups and World Cup series races, and the top 55 women in the world go and I am currently number 47 on the list.

“I am racing this weekend in Huatulco, Mexico along with Tyler and after this race there are two more races that are in the Olympic qualification period.

“We both will be racing next weekend in San Diego as well.

“The following weekend is a World Cup series race in Madrid, Spain which I am not racing in but that is the last race which counts for Olympic qualification.”

Duffy competed at the last Games in Beijing in 2008 but didn’t enjoy the best of performances and will be looking to make amends this time around.

While she’s is safe for the time being, like Butterfield she’ll be hoping to perform well in Mexico after which she can concentrate on preparing for the Games.

“Once I officially find out I am going to the Olympics, which will be mid-May, my coach and I will figure out a racing and training schedule for the lead-up to the Games.

“I assume I’ll race a few more World Cups with, of course, the main focus being on performing well in London.

“I am based in Boulder because I’m a student at the University of Colorado which is in Boulder, although I did take this semester out of school to train, race and focus on the Olympics.

“Training full-time keeps me really busy and training three times a day plus getting treatment for a recurring injury I have is a full-time job.”