Tyler Smith was delighted after finishing eighth at the Americas Triathlon Championships Antofagasta in Chile on Saturday.

Smith finished the race in 1hr 48min 16sec, 1min 38sec behind the winner, Reese Vannerson, from the United States.

“I’m really thrilled that I was able to put together a race that showed what I’m capable of against the best guys in the continent,” Smith told The Royal Gazette.

“I was really happy to walk away with eighth place in the end, which was my goal coming into the race. Before the race, I spoke about how I had multiple top-ten finishes and I wanted to move on from ninth and tenth.

“Eighth place might not sound like much of a progression, but based on the level of competition that just continues to rise, I’m getting better, but so is everyone else.

“There’s always a new crop of under-23s coming through that are making things faster. There were some really talented guys on the start line, so to walk away with eighth is something I’m really proud of in a field of nearly 70 guys.

“I’m really happy with that and being able to represent Bermuda on our continental stage.”

The Bermudian completed the 1.5km swim in 18:49, recorded 56:39 on the 43.2km bike ride and ran the 10km in 31:37.

“For me, the swim was key to the race,” the 27-year-old said.

“I knew it was going to be key going in. It was a really choppy swim, beach start, cold water and there were quite big waves out in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile.

“It was important to just keep the arms moving and get in a good group. We came out onto the bike in a chase group of about 14 behind the three leaders that managed to break away on the swim.

“Within two or three laps, we closed the gap pretty significantly and there was really good co-operation in that group.

“I became part of the leading group and from there, it was just about trying to ride strong and knowing that it’s going to come down to a 10K run.

“There were some really exceptional runners in the group, but I was really happy I was able to put together my fastest 10K run off the bike.

“My time was 31:37 and the winner ran 30 flat. I’m getting there and I’m really happy with where the run shape is.”

Also on the start line with Smith was another Bermudian, Nicholas Pilgrim, who finished 25th in the under-23 men.

In the junior race, Oliver Hayward was 36th of 53 finishers while Jackson Langley did not finish the race due to a flat tyre on the bike leg.

“It was just great to be able to also share the start line with Nick Pilgrim,” Smith said.

“It’s great that we now have two elite men competing. Earlier in the day, I got to see Jackson Langley and Ollie Hayward in the junior race.

“It was such a shame Jackson had a flat, but Ollie had a great race. It was a great swim especially and it’s really positive for the Bermuda Triathlon Association that we have four athletes at a continental championship.”

Smith is on his way to his training base in Girona, Spain, where he will continue with his preparations for the Central American and Caribbean Games, scheduled for July 24 to August 8 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.