Erica Hawley and Tyler Smith enjoyed differing fortunes competing in the World Triathlon Cup Huatulco in Mexico on Saturday.

It proved a particularly impressive performance from Hawley, who clinched a best finish on the series of eleventh place, among a strong elite women’s field.

Battling sweltering temperatures, the 24-year-old exited the water from the 750-metre swim in 10min 1sec, clocked 32:26 on the 20-kilometre cycle and completed the 5km run in 18:06 for a combined time of 1hr 1min 52sec, slightly more than 90 seconds adrift of Mexico’s Anahi Alvarez Corral winning time of 1:00:31.

Former Olympic and world champion Gwen Jorgensen, of the United States, settled for second place, in 1:01:04, after outsprinting Mexican Mercedes Romero Orozco, who completed the podium places in 1:01:11.

Having previously conceded there was plenty of lessons to be learnt from early season efforts, Hawley hailed her latest performance as a timely boost.

“Eleventh position and best World Cup result,” said Hawley on Instagram. “Very happy and honestly quite surprised.

“After Yokohama [World Triathlon Championship Series, in which she finished in 45th place] I was struggling to believe in myself and often let the fear of failure take a hold of my training and everyday life. This was exactly the confidence boost I needed and will cherish it.”

It proved a tougher outing for Smith who battled his way to a 25th-place finish among a highly competitive elite men’s field.

The 24-year-old exited the water from the 750-metre swim in 9:01, clocked 28:57 on the 20-kilometre cycle and completed the 5km run in 16:32 for a combined time of 55:45, slightly more than 90 seconds adrift of Spain’s David Castro winning time of 54:13.

In what developed into a tactical race, Castro continually attempted to attack in the final stages only for Canada’s Tyler Mislawchuk and local athlete Aram Peñaflor to respond every time.

However, with just 50 metres remaining, the Spaniard made one final attack and it proved a telling break, as he held off the challenge of Mislawchuk in a thrilling sprint down the blue carpet to take victory.

Mislawchuk, a multiple champion in Huatulco, added to his medal haul in Mexico with silver, ahead of Peñaflor, who claimed a first World Cup medal with bronze in front of a jubilant home crowd.