Gosling Creek Reserve played host to the Triathlon NSW/Triathlon ACT Junior Super Sprint and Mixed Relay Championships over the weekend, with competitors coming from all over Australia to compete.

Ferris is from just south of the Gold Coast but is a member with the Hills Triathlon Club in Parramatta. He beat out Lleyton Wall (2nd) and Orange's own Rory Thornhill (3rd) to take out the U23 state championship.

"Orange has always been a good race for me, I've always been in that top three, top five. This is my third year in a row and I'd never got that top step," he said after the race.

"It was tough racing. The cold weather, especially from being up north, really affected me but you just have to knuckle down because everyone's in the same boat. Never winning before, I had it in the back of my mind that I really did want to win if I got the opportunity. I love Orange and good to finally get on the top step."

While Ferris could see how close his competitors were, that wasn't the case for Offord - also from the Hills Triathlon Club - who was the lone female racing in the Super Sprint Final A. This meant she was racing against the clock and the times set by her competitors in previous races.

"Racing with the boys is always interesting. It keeps you on your toes," she said after the victory.

"Usually when I race I'm out the front a bit more, so to be on the back and working hard was fun and gets me ready for the rest of the season."

Asked what played a factor in getting her over the edge after finishing second in 2020, Offord said: "I've been doing a lot of solid training and juggling the uni and training balance and lots of support from family.

"It was a bit chilly in the water, but actually quite comfortable riding and running compared to last year where it was boiling hot."

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