Faulkner, United States qualify 2nd in Team Pursuit

Faulkner, United States qualify 2nd in Team Pursuit

The former Homer resident won the gold medal in the women’s road race Sunday

Homer’s Kristen Faulkner and her United States teammates qualified second in the Women’s Team Pursuit on Tuesday in the Paris Olympics.

In the Saint-Quetin-en-Yevlines National Velodrome, Faulkner teamed with Jennifer Valente, Chloe Dygert and Lily Williams to ride 4 kilometers in 4 minutes, 5.238 seconds.

New Zealand was the top qualifier at 4:04.679, while Great Britain was third at 4:06.710.

Wednesday, the competition concludes with the First Round and Finals.

In the First Round, the United States faces off with Great Britain for a spot in the gold medal matchup.

The two countries have earned medals in every Team Pursuit since the event became a part of the Olympics in 2012. Great Britain has won two golds and a silver, while the United States has won two silvers and a bronze.

New Zealand and Italy, which qualified fourth, also will battle to reach the gold medal matchup.

The top eight teams in qualifying advanced to the First Round. The bronze medal matchup will be between the two teams that put up the fastest times in the First Round, not including the two teams that race for the gold medal.

Faulkner will be racing for her second medal of the Olympics. She won the gold medal in the women’s road race Sunday.

The First Round starts at 3:52 a.m. in Alaska, while the Finals start at 8:57 a.m.