A HARD winter training schedule paid dividends for top Isle of Wight athlete Jan Fletcher as she took top female podium spot at the challenging Southampton Fast Twitch Sprint Triathlon.

Jan was one of five members of Wight Tri to cross The Solent to take part in the gruelling event, held at Applemore Recreation Centre, in Dibden Purlieu.

The event is the traditional season opener for many southern-based triathletes, which sets a benchmark for many on how their winter training is progressing.

It opened with a 400m pool swim, then onto a 20.5km one-lap, undulating bike route around the New Forest and Dibden Purlieu town, concluding with a single 4.8km lap run.

Jan won the female category outright, with a fast time of 1.09.32 — almost two minutes clear of her nearest challenger.

Jan, part of the Isle of Wight's Island Games team this summer, highlighted just how impressive her performance was by posting the fasted female swim and run splits, and taking 20th overall from a 150-strong field.

Dean Pike (1.04.31) and Dan Shortman (1.08.08) put in solid performances, finishing 13th and 18th overall, and third and fourth in the 40-44 age category, respectively.

Mike Kimber (1.17.09) and Martin Calmon (1.22.05) completed the quintet, who also produced good performances.