SHE had a smile across her face as she claimed the female honours in Sunday's Carroll-Scott Memorial Triathlon, but Hollee Simons will probably better remember the season for the moments she had a tear in her eye.
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They were not tears of sorrow, but those triggered by the supportive environment she has discovered during her first season racing with the Bathurst Wallabies Triathlon Club.
"Honestly the season has been more than I could have ever expected. This club is absolutely amazing," Simons enthused.
"I've had the pleasure of being in a lot of different calibre teams and different clubs, but this is by far the most supportive and best club I've been in. I just can't wait until next season to get amongst it again.
"I've never experienced anything like it, it makes you feel so good.
"There are moments where you just get that tear in your eye because you feel so good."
Simons has enjoyed plenty of success in her maiden triathlon season, much of it in long course events. But with the annual Carroll-Scott Memorial trophies decided over the shorter distance, she was happy to make a change.
"I'm so excited the memorial was over the short course distance, I was on the start line thinking 'Gosh I'm happy I only have to swim 300 metres'," she laughed.
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Carol North was the first female to finish the swim, but Simons was just nine seconds behind her and they headed out of transition together.
Simons clocked the fastest 16km cycle split - 24:44 - of the female competitors to build a handy lead, and backed that up with the quickest time over the 2.5km run (11:34).
She took the win in a time of 42:35, ahead of Kirsten Howard (45:03) and Danielle Patterson (50:20).
"It is a really special race, especially because it's the last one of the season as well. It's a great race to bring people together, it highlights what triathlon is all about," she said.
"It's about remembering, supporting, coming together and having a really good time. It's not about who wins, it's about supporting everyone who comes across the finish line. It's so awesome that everyone can feel that support."