Worrall was 43rd overall and first in the 40-44 women’s age group, completing the Olympic distance swim, ride and run in two hours, 42 minutes and 28 seconds. 

Camperdown’s Dieter McDonald was the first male in the 40-44 age group. 

Worrall said when the race started at 6am the temperature was hovering around 30 degrees, but during the swim leg the wind picked up turning Corio Bay into a “whirlpool”. 

“They were the worst conditions I’ve raced in,” she said. 

“The water was sloshy. A lot of people, including myself swallowed a lot of the water. They were talking about making it a no-wetsuit race at the start, but thankfully they didn’t because we needed them for buoyancy.”

Worrall said she came out of the swim fifth in her category before taking to the bike where she made up even more ground. 

“I was happy with how my swim went. I came out in a good position,” she said. 

“The ride is my strongest leg so I managed to make up some more ground there. 

“Then I had a really solid run. 

“Last year I finished third in my category, so my aim was to do that or better, so I’m really happy with how it all ended up.” 

Worrall was joined in the event by fellow Warrnambool residents Natasha Cross, Steven O’Leary, Susan Pettigrew and Angela Cook, who finished second in the 45-49 age category. 

jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au