Bermuda’s Louise Wells claimed the women’s title in the MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda sprint race at the first attempt convincingly in Hamilton on Saturday.

She crossed the finish line in 1hr 17min 59sec, more than a minute ahead of Zöe Hasselkuss, to exceed her own expectations going into the event.

“Surprised and delighted,” Wells said. “I had hoped I might podium for my age group. I hoped that might be realistic, but I wasn’t sure so to win age group and overall I’m thrilled.

“You never know who is racing and I’ve been training for longer distance races, so I didn’t know if I had the speed; I’m super pleased. Ballpark I hoped I could target a 1:15 maybe but I think 1:17 may be a PB. The swim was tough so I think with the swim and the wind I’m obviously pleased with the win.

“The swim was not much fun. That’s the worst phase for me so I was very happy to get on my bike. It was quite windy out there today and I was pleased to have a good bike and get off without any mishaps.

“The run was quite motivating. Seeing all of the Olympic Distance competitors out there. I was quite pleased I wasn’t doing that.”

Hasselkuss was second overall in 1:19:27 and first in the 15-29 age group with overseas competitor Meghan Diel third in 1:20:01.

Marie-Lyne Dore (1:23:43) won the women’s 30-39 age group, Kristen Neimeth (1:23:47) was first in the 50-59 age group while Marlissa Westerfield (1:56:06) claimed the 60-69 age group and Kathleen Doswell (1:47:20) the 70 and over age group.

Meanwhile, overseas competitor Stefanie Cullingford won the overall women’s title and 30-39 age group in the Olympic distance race in 2:19:20.

Ashley Couper, of Bermuda, finished second overall and first in the 40-49 age group in 2:20:14.

Jamie Chapman won the 17-29 age group and was tenth overall in 2:21:06, while Bermuda’s Karen Smith was first in the 50-59 age group and eighteenth overall in 2:27:55.

Pauline Green (3:06:23) won the 60-69 age group and was 114th overall.