But doing so in the picturesque city Lausanne, Switzerland, on the edge of Lake Geneva, just makes it that extra bit special.

They had earned the right to that experience after qualifying for the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final, and Arnold and Jackson cherished every second.

Jackson produced a strong end to his 60-64 years race over the Olympic (1.5km swim, 40km ride, 10km run) distance.

He came home 37^th overall and fifth out of Australia's 10-man team in the division.

Of note was his run leg which, at 47 minutes and 11 seconds, was the 10^th fastest in the field.

Jackson completed the course in a time of 2:50:19.

"I was very happy with the result. I'll be honest, and I know I'll get in trouble for it, but I didn't go there expecting to win. I wanted to just perform well, which I did, and the top 10 in the run made it all worthwhile," Jackson said.

"It was a satisfying way to end it. It was a tough course and the bike was certainly tricky on hired bikes. The swim was excellent but the run really brought it home. Finishing strongly is always good in any race like that because you spend the whole time passing people.

"You don't really know how you're going to go. I'm glad I could go over there to test myself."

Arnold completed her 40-44 years division race in 3:09:36.

The Bathurst competitor was strong over the bike leg as she got under the 90 minute mark with a 1:26:35.

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Arnold said the city was a spectacle of colour with so many nations represented.

"The were 4,000 athletes there and the whole city had been taken over by those there for the World Championships," she said.

"The bike was a really technical course so I was pleased I was able to stay upright there despite the call close with a barrier. There were a heap of Aussies on that corner who gave me a big cheer and were saying 'Nice recovery'.

"The run was tough, since it was 30 degrees by the time we got running, so for me the bike leg was definitely the highlight.

"Swimming in the lake was beautiful. They tested the water in the days leading up to it and it was drinking water quality and beautifully clear. It was a non-wetsuit swim and quite pleasant.

"Stephen was passing people the whole time during his run and he finished so strongly. I was at the finish line when he came across and he looked like a kid who had had too much red cordial."

Bathurst's former age triathlon world champion Mark Windsor was the city's other qualifier for the event but an injury sustained during training ruled him out.