Warrnambool teenager Naticia Varley has made a strong return to triathlons by winning the women's category of Warrnambool Tri Club's inaugural Hopkins Mini Tri Series.
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The three-race series, which wrapped up on Thursday night, involved a 200 metre swim, seven-kilometre bike ride and two-kilometre run.
Each Thursday it involved a swim in the Hopkins River, a ride up to Logan's Beach and a run back over the Hopkins River Bridge.
Varley took a break for the past year and half but has found her way back through the mini series.
"Just because they're a bit shorter it suits me more," she said.
"I'm not really a fan of bike riding as much, so the shorter the better."
Varley said it was a challenge to get used to the transitions again after her time away from the sport.
The youngster has otherwise been running and enjoys the 800 and 1500 metres.
Varley, who is a chance to compete in the upcoming Warrnambool Foreshore Triathlon, is heading to Geelong to study exercise and sports science this year.
Jenny Dowie was second and Liv Morgan had the third best overall time for the three events.
Warrnambool's Darren Pearce, who has been competing in triathlons for 15 years, was the overall men's winner for the series.
Pearce worked hard in the third race of the series.
"I'm extremely tired, it really hurt me tonight," he said after the race.
"I knew Morgs (Jason Morgan) was trying to run me down so I just had to dig deep and hold him off.
"I kept looking around, I've got a sore neck from turning around up to 100 times in that short two-kilometre run."
Now Pearce is eyeing the Warrnambool Foreshore Triathlon on Sunday February 9.
The main event is a 500m swim, 20km bike ride and five-kilometre run.
"After another win tonight, I think I've got a bit of motivation to do some training and have a decent go at it," Pearce said.
He has yet to win that event.
Jason Morgan had the second best overall time and Gavin Cooper was third in the mini tri series.
More than 50 participants took part in the third race of the series which meant 145 people took part across the three weeks.
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