Christine Thorburn '92 narrowly missed medaling at the 2008 Beijing Olympic women's cycling competition. "I was fifth in the time trial (3.2 seconds slower than the bronze medalist over 36 minutes of racing!)" Thorburn says.

She was 52nd in the road race, after doing the work the first 3/4 of the race for the U.S. team of three women. "Unfortunately, our favorite for the race, Amber Neben, dropped her chain," Thorburn says.

Thorburn was in Italy in late September for the cycling World Championships. "My last two races before my retirement from elite cycling!" she says.

U.S. men's rower Ken Jurkowski, coached by Veronika Platzer '87, failed to make the final heat in men's single sculls. He finished fifth in the race held Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Photo: Christine Thorburn '92 competing in the 2008 Bejing Olympics