Triathletes Tyler Butterfield and Flora Duffy extended their Athlete of the Year winning streaks when they were crowned Male and Female Athletes for the fifth straight year last night during the 38th Government Sports Awards at Fairmont Southampton.

It was the eighth win overall for Duffy since her first award in 2006, while Butterfield, who also won for the first time that year, claimed a seventh title.

“Good evening everyone, sorry I couldn’t be with you all in Bermuda tonight but I’m here in South Africa preparing for my 2019 season,” Duffy said in a pre-recorded message which was shown on screen.

“Thank you for me being named the senior Female Athlete of the Year, it’s always an honour to win.

“It was great winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, being the first female from Bermuda to win a gold medal there and also being the first medal of the Games, so for a while Bermuda was top of the medal table which was pretty cool.

“Then, of course, the WTS Bermuda was just the most incredible day. Of course, the race couldn’t have gone better, winning on home soil with the streets lined with Bermudians. It is a day I’ll always remember. I look forward to racing in Bermuda in a month’s time.”

Butterfield was also a part of the Bermuda mixed triathlon team of Duffy, Tyler Smith and Erica Hawley which placed fifth in the Commonwealth Games and received a Special Recognition Award last night. His mother Debbie, a former top runner, received his awards on his behalf.

“What an honour and what a privilege, the selection committee I don’t know how you decide. There are so many amazing athletes on this island, and we are all very proud of all the athletes and congratulations to you all,” she told the audience.

“Last year was an exceptional year for Tyler because he did get to go to the Commonwealth Games in Australia and compete in the team event which was such an exciting event.

“For Tyler to also be able to compete in the marathon, it was an extremely hot day but he also set a new national record. Thank all of you for the support you give to Tyler, we appreciate it.”

Junior Male and Female Athletes of the Year were footballer LeiLanni Nesbeth, who is completing her final year at Bedes School in England before going to Florida State University on a full scholarship in the fall, and cyclist Matthew Oliveira who is also overseas in school.