Sports minister Zane DeSilva has congratulated triathlete Flora Duffy and Bermuda’s young women footballers for their sporting achievements over the weekend.

Duffy virtually assured herself of winning a second consecutive world title by claiming victory in the penultimate ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final in Stockholm on Saturday.

Meanwhile in St Lucia, Bermuda beat Aruba 13-1 in the Concacaf Caribbean Women’s Under-17 qualifiers, meaning they advance to the next qualifying round in Haiti this year.

Mr DeSilva said in a statement: “I am extremely pleased to celebrate the continued success of Bermuda’s athletes.

“Flora’s unwavering success never ceases to make Bermuda proud; what she achieves — time after time — is absolutely astounding.

“She is proving that even though we are but a dot on the world map, if our people work hard, there is no reason for us not to reach world class status.

“As only the second woman to record five first-place finishes in a season, she has made an indelible mark on the sport worldwide. I wish her all the best at the WTS Grand Final in Rotterdam on September 16.

“The Under-17 girls once again showed that hard work will produce positive results. Bermuda — who have already defeated St Lucia 3-0 and Antigua and Barbuda 5-0 — put on an impressive battle during this tournament at the weekend, winning all three games. We are so proud of our young ladies.”