STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Victoria's Kirsten Sweetland finished just off the podium in fourth at the penultimate stage of the eight-race World Triathlon Series on Saturday.
Sweetland clocked a time of one hour three minutes 10 seconds in the sprint race.
The 25 year old started the race with a solid 750-metre swim on chilly and rainy day and charged to the head of the pack for the 20-kilometre bike ride before mixing it up with a group of five for the five-kilometre run. Sweetland was hoping for her third straight international podium, but settled for fourth.
"I really can't believe I pulled off a fourth place today," said Sweetland, who is ranked sixth in the world. "Obviously after Commonwealth Games and Hamburg I was gunning for a podium today, but I got a little cold on Tuesday. Not good timing at all.
"I came here just trying to collect some points before Edmonton, and with catching a cold, I just really can't believe I was able to do this today. I am happy with it for sure"
American Sarah Groff captured her first career World Triathlon Series victory after crossing the line first with a time of 1:03:00. New Zealand's Andrea Hewitt was second at 1:03:04, while fellow countryman Nicky Samuels took bronze in 1:03:05.
