Jessica Learmonth continued to enhance her international reputation as she finished third in the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Rotterdam.
Following on from her first ever World Triathlon series podium in Stockholm last month when she secured silver, Learmonth was once again among the medals at the season finale.
She led after the swim and was joined by Flora Duffy of Bermuda and the USA’s Katie Zaferes in a breakaway group on the bike before Duffy raced clear on the 10km run.
The move saw her successfully defend her World title in style, followed by Zaferes while Leamonth staved off a calf injury to come home third in 2:00.57.
That was enough to see her finish sixth overall in the standings with the Brit quick to praise the efforts of teammate Jodie Stimpson who was eighth following a length injury period.
Learmonth said: “After Stockholm I didn’t think I could top it. I know third is worse than second but this is the Grand Final.
“It couldn’t have gone better with getting in the break and away with Katie Zaferes and Flora Duffy, and then I’ve got to mention Jodie because it was team tactics, and she helped us to get a gap. It all worked out in the end.”
Meanwhile, Jonathan Brownlee struggled to hide his disappointment after the Olympic silver medallist failed to get himself among the medals.
In wet and cold conditions, the British triathlete could only manage fifth after falling away from the leading pack in the closing stages of the run, while fellow Brits Thomas Bishop, Marc Austin and Adam Bowden were tenth, 22nd and 24th respectively.
France’s Vincent Luis took the win ahead of Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt after a sprint finish while Mario Mola’s third-place finish was enough to see him retain his overall World Triathlon Series title.
For Brownlee, the result continued a frustrating season which has been hit by injury and illness and one in which he has only triumphed once, at the penultimate event in Stockholm.
And the 2012 champion’s campaign was summed up with the fact he had to contest Saturday’s swim without his goggles.
"I had to take them off because I couldn't see where I was going," said Brownlee, who finishes the series sixth overall.
"It was just one of those bad luck days. I didn't have the legs and I felt terrible.
"At some points on the bike I was getting dropped and thinking, 'what's wrong with me?' It was just one of those days."
Sportsbeat 2017