Triathlon was no surprise to anyone.

But three in one day was pretty special -- even for Flora.

As well as being the first 12-year-old girl, Duffy placed first overall in the 11-14 girls age group and also picked up the newly-introduced `Most Improved' trophy by shading her 1999 time by a minute and 27 seconds.

Chloe Kempe beat out Ashley Kirkpatrick for second place in the same age group by five seconds.

Twelve-year-old Geoffrey Smith turned in his customary strong performance to take overall honours on the boys' side of the same age group, finishing 12 seconds ahead of Adam Petty. Dominique Nanette who confirmed his excellent progress over the past 12 months by lifting the Most Improved trophy for boys was a further four seconds back.

Had there been a `Most Disappointed' trophy it would have gone to Tyler Abbott who had a good lead heading into the run, only to suffer severe cramping which forced him to withdraw.

Other individual age winners in the senior (11-14) group were 11 year-olds Ally Bolton and Brett Fox.

Although many of the athletes in the junior (7-10) division were just out to have fun, some fine individual performances emerged. Justin Collis, a promising nine-year-old took overall honours in the boys' division, 32 seconds ahead of Ricky Sousa. Aaron Daniels was third overall.

Dominic White knocked an amazing four minutes off his 1999 time to take the Most Improved trophy.

Three 10 year-olds dominated the 7-10 girls group. Caitlin Conyers won by 21 seconds over Lily Fowle with Emily Rowe a further three seconds back. But it was Ashley Fox, third among the eight year-olds, who won the Most Improved trophy, bettering her 1999 time by one minute and 42 seconds.

Other winners in their individual age categories were seven-year-olds Claire Hawley and Alex Godfrey, eight-year-olds Kaitlyn Miller and Marc Smith and nine-year-old Alexandra Easton.

Six schools fielded the 10 competitors required for inclusion in the draw for a Gateway computer and it was Warwick Academy Junior School's name that came out of the hat.

Flora Duffy: triathlon treble