Kristen Faulkner, the Alaska native, shocked the field by winning the 2024 Olympics women's road race in Paris, becoming the first American woman to claim gold in 40 years.
Despite not qualifying in her specialty, track cycling, Faulkner stepped in for the 98-mile race, chasing down the leaders in the final stretch to establish an insurmountable lead.
Born in Homer, AK, Faulkner, a Harvard graduate and former varsity rower, found cycling as a hobby in New York, later excelling in road cycling, ultimately claiming the Olympic victory.
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