Shianne Smith, the Bermuda heptathlete, stepped up her preparations for next month’s Central American and Caribbean Games by setting a national record in the javelin in France last weekend.

Smith, who trains full time at the Montpellier Decathlon Elite Club, recorded a throw of 40.39 metres at a heptathlon team event in Colomiers, Toulouse.

Sonya Smith held the previous record but her throw of 53.98 at the 1979 Carifta Games in Jamaica no longer stands because of changes made to javelin specifications.

“It was just a fun meet with me and my team-mate both doing three events before relaying in the 800,” said Shianne Smith, whose previous best of 39.09 won her the gold medal at the NatWest Island Games in Bermuda in 2013.

The 29-year-old, who relocated to Montpellier in October 2012 in search of continuity after several seasons working under different coaches in California, said that the throw had given her a confidence boost ahead of the CAC Games, which will be held in Veracruz, Mexico, from November 14 to 30.

“October is off-season for track and field so all my team-mates are doing strength and conditioning work while I’m preparing for a big competition,” added Smith, who intends to return to Bermuda before heading to Mexico.

“If I keep working on my javelin technique I should be able to get some good points and put myself in a strong position before the 800 [Smith’s favourite event].”

Smith placed eighth at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, setting a personal best in the 800 in 2min 14.73sec.