Canadian triathlete Sophia Howell reaches World Cup podium for 1st time with bronze

Canada's Sophia Howell reached the World Triathlon Cup podium for the first time Sunday after a third-place finish in the sprint-distance race.

Howell, from Airdrie, Alta., finished the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike ride and five-kilometre run in one hour one minute 12 seconds in San Pedro de la Paz, Chile.

"I'm so excited," said the 23-year-old Howell. "I didn't expect this today so I'm over the moon."

Howell was three seconds behind Jeanne Lehair of Luxembourg and nine seconds behind champion Miriam Casillas Garcia of Spain.

Emy Legault of L'Ile Perrot, Que., was 12th.

In the men's race, Charlottetown's Martin Sobey was the top Canadian in 14th.