Jorgensen added to her earlier season wins in Yokohama and San Diego with a brilliant performance to take the top spot from Haug, who could only muster a third-placed finish in Stockholm after taking a home victory in Hamburg last month.

Jorgensen pulled back almost 40 seconds on New Zealand's Andrea Hewitt in just over one lap to take the lead in a formidable run leg, but she was particularly pleased with how her swim in the bitterly cold Baltic Sea went.

"I think I was just so shocked that I was in the front of the group, besides those two that went up the road, I was thrilled with my swim coming out of the water there," she said.

"[Coach] Jamie Turner and I have been working hard on it and to see the hard work starting to pay off just feels really good."

Britain's Non Stanford finished in second behind the American to set up an exciting scenario where just 13 points separate Jorgensen, Haug and herself in the overall rankings, effectively meaning that the highest finisher of the three in London will clinch the title.

(Left to right) Anne Haug, Non Stanford and Jodie Stimpson could all still take the title ahead of Jorgensen should things go their way in London

Haug and Stanford were a minute behind the chasing pack - which consisted Jorgensen, along with Britain's Jodie Stimpson and Hewitt - coming out of the swim and had to make up time on the cycling leg, which they did effectively to close the gap, with the German leading the charge as she attempted to cling onto the top spot in the rankings.

But Jorgensen was too strong for her opponents with an excellent run which puts her at a marginal advantage ahead of the title decider.

There were two other British athletes in the top five alongside Stanford, with Vicky Holland and Stimpson - who is still in contention for the title in fourth place overall - finishing in fourth and fifth respectively, narrowly missing out on the podium.

To view the current standings following the Stockholm race, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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