Eva Goodisson now knows what it feels like to be on top of the world.
The 17-year-old was named aquathon world champion last week.
She won the 16-19 age group in the aquathon, which involved a 750m swim in the Chicago Lake Harbour and two 5km runs in a sweltering32C, in a time of 31m 14s.
Goodisson was in good form before heading to the World Triathlon Championships. She was coached by Ken Maclaren and used Triathlon Hawke's Bay events as part of her training.
While Goodisson was away racing alongside six other club members, a small bunch of hardy athletes braved the wet and windy weather to compete in the Pure Catering Duathlon at Havelock North at the weekend.
A team and 23 individuals put the weather to the back of their mind and focused on the last race of the Friendly Dental Duathlon Series.
Jake Jackson Grammer (junior) had a convincing win in The Hits Long Course. He completed the 4km run, 21km bike, 4km run in 1hr 09m 56s. Kieron Batt (vet 1) was next home in 1h 18m 34s.
Lucy Cotterill (open) was the only woman to go the long distance, finishing in 1h 31m 58s.
Brent Hussey (vet 1) was the fastest around the Horleys 4km run, 21km bike, 2km run course in 1hr 24m 11s. The fastest woman on the day was Teresa O'Sullivan in 1 hr 32m 11s.
Brendon Lodge whipped around the Peak Fitness short course 2km run, 14km bike, 2km run finishing in 42m 14s, with Gretchen Stone (vet 1) being the first woman home in 50m 17s.
Triathlon Hawke's Bay general manager Mike Bond said everyone taking part did well in the tough conditions.
Despite the smaller turnout at the final event, he was pleased with how the series went and looks forward to seeing everyone at the Ice Buster Triathlon, November 1, at Pandora Pond.