in the Canadian National Championships in an impressive performance in Corner Brook, Newfoundland yesterday.

She clocked two hours, 31 minutes, 21 seconds and her bike ride leg was the fastest by a female on what was described by her coach Dave Morrison as the "toughest bike course in the world''.

Smith finished second in the 30-34 age group, just 23 seconds behind winner Tracey Pope, who herself finished 14th at the last world championships.

Her swimming split of 23:39 left her well adrift of the leaders, but she stormed back with a bike time of 1:27:02. The fastest male bike leg was 1:13:24 -- an indication of the strength of Smith's performance. Her run split of 40:41 was the second fastest by a woman.

Morrison was delighted with the progress of Smith, who is training towards an appearance in next year's world championships in Edmonton.

"Last year was the first year she started training seriously for triathlon and she has been training hard for the last three-and-a-half months for this event,'' said Morrison.

"To finish less than 30 seconds behind a 14th place finisher in the world championships in only her second year of triathlon is tremendous.'' Smith's time placed her 40th overall in the mixed field of 120. Also competing was her husband Aaron Smith, who placed 82nd in a time of 2:52:09.

Karen Smith: fifth place finish.