Young triathlete Flora Duffy has been given another financial boost in her quest for more success on the international stage.

Following an exceptional series of results in 2006 when she placed among the top ten at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and in two World Cup events, as well as finishing runner-up in the World Youth Championships in Switzerland, Duffy was yesterday awarded an extra $2,500 by local company Capital G, who only last June sponsored her to the tune of $10,000.

The money is aimed at helping 18-year-old Duffy secure enough International Triathlon Union points to guarantee a berth in next year’s Beijing Olympics.

A long-time supporter of the Capital G-sponsored Iron Kids Triathlon — she’s the only female athlete to have won her age group for eight consecutive years — Duffy is seen as a strong contender for this year’s Female Athlete of the Year.

Currently attending school in south-west England where she trains under the guidance of top triathlon coach Richard Brady, Duffy will attend a pre-season training camp in Spain in March and will start her international season at the ITU World Cup event in Portugal.

She will also represent Bermuda at this year’s Pan-Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Meanwhile, Capital G CEO James Gibbons also handed over a cheque for $1,500 to Neil de Ste. Croix of Bermuda Triathlon Association “for their commitment to organising the annual Iron Kids Triathlon.”

“This year on June 23 will be the 19th year for Capital G to host the Iron Kids Triathlon and we are happy the BTA will assist us for another successful year,” said Gibbons.

“We hope that our contributions will continue to assist both Flora Duffy and the Bermuda Triathlon Association in achieving their goals.”