Three of Bermuda’s leading female triathletes produced impressive performances in their first ever Ironman race in Brazil last week — with Karen Smith and Karen Bordage both qualifying for the mother of all Ironmans in Hawaii later this year.

Despite struggling with a bad knee, Smith turned in an outstanding effort in the west coast town of Florianopolis to triumph in the women’s 35-39 category — finishing the exhausting 3.8 kilometre swim, 180 kilometre bike ride and 48 kilometre run in a time of 10 hours, 38 minutes and 28 seconds.

After injuring her knee in the Oceanside California Half Ironman in March, Smith was forced to spend many hours on the physio table and went to Brazil with low expectations having had her training regime severely disrupted.

But despite the odds being stacked against her, the veteran turned in what must surely be regarded as one of the best performances of her athletic career — completing the swim in 1.06.58, the bike in 5.41.17 and the marathon in 3.50.13 to place 15th overall in the women’s race.

Bordage, a strong runner whose absence from May 24 gave winner Dawn Richardson a clear run to the Derby title, finished just behind Smith in the 35-39 category with a time of 10.57.07.

Ordinarily, only the winners of each age category qualify automatically for the Hawaii Ironman — but when a lady in one of the more senior age groups failed to finish, Bordage was the lucky recipient of an additional place among the elite of arguably sport’s most gruelling discipline.

Julia Hawley, meanwhile, who is widely regarded as Bermuda’s top female cyclist, finished her first Ironman in 11.38.00 — a result she was happy with having undergone knee surgery in March.

“I am still in disbelief at the time I pulled off,” said Smith yesterday.

“Initially early in the year I was hoping for 11 hours fully fit, this time with all the problems I have had, I am shocked, but very happy.

“Since the knee injury I had decided I just wanted a good swim and bike. I have to be honest I fully expected not to finish and was prepared for that.

“I didn’t know until last night (that I qualified to race in Hawaii) — it’s awesome. I could not have even imagined qualifying for Hawaii, that’s the ultimate in Ironman. I am so excited.

“I really think that the longer distances suit my strengths more than the sprint and Olympic distance events and I love the longer distance training.

“This has been an incredible experience — all the preparation, working through the injury, training with Julia (Hawley) and Karen (Bordage) and all being here in our first Ironman event. It’s just awesome.”

Bordage echoed those sentiments and said she was keen to take up the offer of a place at the Hawaii Ironman, particularly having been lucky enough to squeak in through the back door.

“I am so happy. I went into the event with no expectations at all because it was an unknown having never done an Ironman before,” she said.

“Qualifying for Hawaii is just amazing. I count myself lucky that an extra spot came up for our category but I want to make the most of it.

“Training in Bermuda with Julia and Karen was a huge benefit. We were all going into unknown territory so it was such a big psychological boost knowing that we were all going through this together. Being on the start line together and all being so nervous — it was such a help to have each other.

“I am so happy that we all performed well, in fact all of us did better than we could have hoped for. It’s a wonderful feeling.”