Catriona Morrison will leave New Zealand with more than just fond memories of her short trip here from Scotland.
She will take home the 2014 Port of Tauranga Half elite women's title after her comprehensive victory by more than five minutes over Amelia Rose Watkinson (Auckland) and Candice Hammond (Cambridge), with her old friend Jo Lawn back in fourth.
Mount Maunganui's Michelle Bremer put in a top performance to finish fifth.
But it was the wee lassie from Scotland who took the kudos after her fine performance.
"It is a really special way to start the new triathlon season," Morrison said. "It is so early in the year so it is great to have a good, solid performance. It was a great crowd out there and it was really motivational.