HELEN Russell’s hopes of ending an impressive season with success at the World Aquathlon Championships ended in disappointment with a seventh-placed finish in London.

A sprained ankle sustained in the final week of training on the Lickey Hills meant the 38-year-old from Bromsgrove was not at her best at Hyde Park in the 35 to 39-year-old age category.

She had been aiming to improve on the bronze she won in 2010 but finished the one-kilometre swim in the Serpentine and 5km run in 19 minutes and 30 seconds to come seventh.

After the race Russell said, “I am really disappointed at this result. “Training was going really well until I sprained my ankle while running on the Lickey Hills.

“However, there are always up and downs in sport and I know there will be other races to win.”

Russell has enjoyed a strong year after winning her age group at the English Triathlon Championships and coming second in the British Aquathlon.

There were other strong displays by Bromsgrove athletes in London.

Karen Riley wanted to make the most of the championships and decided to compete in both the aquathlon and sprint distance triathlon in the 40 to 45 age category.

In the aquathlon, she finished 25th in 40.35 and then came 40th in her age section in the sprint triathlon in 1.22.24.

Jessica Williams made her debut at the World Championships and tackled the Olympic distance of 1,500 metre swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run.

Unfortunately, due to the extreme cold water and air temperatures the swim was shortened to 750 meters.

Despite the cold Williams put up a strong performance to set a time of 2.10.10 and come 39th in the 30 to 35 age section.

In the 40 to 45 age section, Samantha Boswell had only just recovered from a broken toe but managed to complete the course and finish 16th in 2.07.47.

Andrew Cunnell also took on the same Olympic distance course in the 65 to 70 age group.

A solid swim of 16.10 was followed a bike split of 1.16.54. The bike is Cunnell’s strongest discipline and he used his this strength to move up the field.

Out of form on the day, Cunnell found the 10km run a challenge finishing in 57.13, which meant he took 45th place in a time of 2.39.45 overall.