Helen was chosen to represent America in the 1940 Olympic Games. All concerned felt that Helen would achieve two gold medals as a minimum. However, because of the onset of the Second World War, the games were cancelled. During this period her dominance of the U.S. women's diving nationals was overwhelming. After defeating Hall of Famer Marjorie Gestring in both indoor and outdoor 3m springboard in 1940, Helen went on to win all for 3 years. She declined an offer to turn professional for per week in 1940 to dive for "Billy Rose's Aquacade" at the 1940 Golden Gate International Exposition. Esther Williams, who accepted Rose's offer, went on to be discovered by an MGM scout while swimming in the "Aquacade". Crlenkovich won National Amateur Athletic Union (A.A.U.) diving championships each year between 1939 and 1941, declining to defend her title in 1942.