Beijing, Aug. 19, 2008—In one of the most exciting finishes in Olympic triathlon, Felt athlete Jan Frodeno came up big when it counted. The big German matched the late sprint effort of Canadian Simon Whitifield in the waning 300 yards of the run—then countered in the final 100 yards to win the men’s Olympic triathlon by five seconds in a sprint finish, in 1:48:52.

Frodeno cruised safely in the main group throughout the 1.5k swim, then exited the water, boarded his F1 and drove the hard opening miles to make the main pack on the bike. While most attacks and were absorbed, two men broke away, taking their chances against the class runners—Frodeno among them—on the run.

Once off the bike, the high pace and hot temps under the Beijing sun began to melt several favorites. In the end, it was four men, three medals, and just one gold. And while Whitfield made a valiant effort, Frodeno jumped on his feet, then countered with his own surge to take Germany’s first gold medal in triathlon.

Frodeno’s win helped Felt scored a clean sweep in Olympics. The day prior, Australian Felt athlete Emma Snowsill won the women’s Olympic triathlon in a runaway.