Updated: Oct 16, 2023 08:30 PM

Medal triumph: Karen Smith, who won a silver medal in the Female 55-59 age group division at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii

Bermudian triathletes Karen Smith, Louise Wells and Laurie Orchard enjoyed impressive results in the Ironman and XTerra World Championships.

For Smith in particular it proved a special return to Kona, Hawaii, the spiritual home of the sport for the Ironman World Championships.

Smith, who previously enjoyed major success at the event when crowned champion after winning the 45-49 age division in 2014, this time picked up a silver medal in the Female 55-59 age group division this time.

Her total time of 10hrs 50min 10sec, saw her finish 245th out of 2,039 competitors but second in her age category, slightly more than ten minutes adrift of South Africa’s Michelle Enslin, who crossed the line in 10:40:06.

“What an epic day and very grateful to be racing here again,” said Smith about her eighth appearance at the Championships. She previously finished fourth in her age category (50-54) in 2019, seventh in the same division in 2018, third (40-44) in 2010, eighth in 2009, and sixth in 2007 (35-39).

“The day didn’t exactly go to plan but super proud to be second in my age group. Perseverance is the name of the game and never give up as you might be rewarded.”

There was also a strong showing from compatriot Louise Wells, who finished 235th overall and sixth in the female 49-54 Age Group Division in a time of 10:47:55. Switzerland’s Sandra Daenzer put in a dominant display to claim victory in a blistering time of 10:19:29.

Orchard finished a highly respectable eighth among the 50-54 age group at the XTerra Cross Triathlon World Championships in Molveno, Italy, last month.

Strong showing: Laurie Orchard, who finished eighth among the 50-54 age group at the XTerra Cross Triathlon World Championships in Molveno, Italy

The event included a 1,500-metre lake swim, a 34 kilometre mountain bike course and a 10km trail run, with Orchard clocking a total time of 4:37:44, good enough for 95th overall in a field of 168 female competitors in her age group.

“It was an honour to race among the age group athletes who are at the top of their class and the atmosphere was just fantastic,” said Orchard, who earned qualification to the championships by winning her age group at the XTerra Iceman Triathlon in Lake Pleasant, Arizona, in February.

“The course and conditions were suitably challenging for a World Championship event.

“This event was the culmination of a year of preparation and focus for me. As an ageing athlete, building and maintaining exceptional health and fitness despite the ageing process was my main objective.

“Achieving that made it worth the effort but producing a good result among the best in the world is also very satisfying.”