Susie’s second successive silver

The Bexhill-based sporting all-rounder came second in the women’s 40-44 years class in Pontevedra, Spain.

She said: “The idea was to go there, race as hard as I could and come home with no regrets. Anything on top of that was a bonus so I was very pleased with it.”

In marked contrast to the wind and rain which battered last summer’s event in Ireland, competitors were this year greeted with temperatures hitting 30 degrees, although Casebourne, of Cantelupe Road, says she likes the heat.

Casebourne was second after the initial 1,500m swim - in a tidal river with a fairly strong current - which she completed in 25:20 compared to the sensational 22:38 of eventual winner Bettina Lange, from Germany.

She recorded the fourth fastest time of 1:14:08 over a tough, hilly 40km bike section - her weakest discipline - but came back with the quickest time of 40:13 for the concluding 10km run which was full of twists and turns.

Factoring in her times for the two transition areas as well, Casebourne finished in 2:20:50 with Lange triumphing in 2:15:38 and fellow British competitor Sarah Larkam third in 2:26:17.

“I was just pleased to get to the end,” the Team Lifestyle member added. “I was happy with all of them (the three disciplines) this time.”

The 40-year-old hasn’t put her feet up since returning because she was fourth overall, first lady and part of the winning team in the inaugural Sussex Triathlon.

Casebourne, who teaches at St Andrew’s School in Eastbourne, completed the 1,500m lake swim, 40km rural bike course and 10km run in the grounds of Ashburnham Place in a time of 2:21:05.