Martina Olcheski-Bell finished an impressive fifth in the women’s race at the Ocean Lava Lanzarote Half-Triathlon at the weekend.

Because of unsafe water conditions, the 1.9km swim was cancelled and replaced with a 5km run while the 90km bike course was modified to a 43km route after landslides.

Olcheski-Bell, who won the National Capital Olympic Triathlon in Ottawa in August, finished in a time of 3hr 52min 27sec.

“I can understand why Ironman Lanzarote is considered by many to be one of the toughest races in the world,” she said. “Lanzarote is no joke!

“The top three female finishers were all professionals so I was pleased with my place.

“The bike course was very challenging with back-to-back steep climbs. It rained for a good part of the race which made the descents a bit terrifying, as I was reaching speeds up to 70kph with heavy crosswinds.

“It was a great experience and the triathlon community in Lanzarote were wonderful.”

Meanwhile, Laurie Orchard and Neil de Ste Croix will join Flora Dufy, the women’s defending champion, in Maui for Saturday’s Xterra Age Group World Championships.

It will be Orchard’s first off-road triathlon world championships race. The event features a 1,500 swim, 32km bike ride and 10.5km run.

“I’m fit and race ready, and I hope to represent Bermuda well once again,” said Orchard, who competes in the 40-44 age group.

De ste Croix will be in action in the men’s 50-54 age group.