For a group of athletes who didn't expect to win anything at the World Masters Games in Australia, they sure are bringing home a lot of medals.

In Australia, Tuesday has already happened and it was a successful day for Bonnie Love and Tanya Astika, who placed first and second respectively in the 20-kilometre race walk after fears they would be unable to keep up with the tough judged walking stride.

"Both were a bit nervous of the technical requirements and watched some people (disqualified) from the race after receiving three warnings of improper technique but Tanya and Bonnie performed well under this pressure and were honoured with first and second place finishes,” said Brenda Dion, a Yukon athlete also participating in the games.

A few competitors were disqualified as they entered the stadium to do their final laps, but Love and Astika survived the judges to walk right onto the podium.

Also winning over the holiday weekend was Nesta Leduc, who split up two Australian favourites with her silver medal finish in the first of her orienteering events.

She placed sixth in the qualifying race.

Leduc has been in Australia for three weeks now competing in orienteering all over the country.

She won a bronze in the sprint event, silver in the long distance and gold in the middle distance at the Australian Championships.

At the event Leduc slipped, injuring her ankle but it wasn't enough to put her out of contention for the World Masters Games.

"It has been pretty cold and wet a lot of the time and at an event in Canberra I slipped and injured my ankle,” said Leduc, via e-mail from Sydney.

"Luckily (it was) one with a plate in it so it did not break.

Some sports physio, taping and deep heavy Chinese massage seem to have fixed it.”

With the injury very much behind her, Leduc finished to the sound of thunderous applause from fellow Canadians in Sydney.

"Yesterday was pretty exciting coming into the Sydney Olympic Park to compete, again in rain but it cleared in time for my run,” said Leduc. "The course was pretty intricate, (it) took lots of concentration, but got pretty wild as I started to pass some of the others. Coming into the arena was amazing, all the Canadians screaming as I was the first in. I think I was encouraged to run faster than I ever had for the last 70 metres.”

Leduc says 27,000 athletes turned up for the opening ceremonies from 95 countries from ages 26 to 101.

Also participating in the games from the Yukon were Dion, Bryan Craven, Lisa Vowk and Tom Ullyett.

Craven, Ullyett and Dion completed an eight kilometre cross country run today, with all but Dion finishing with personal bests.

"It was hot and dry as we might have expected,” said Dion in an e-mail. "All three of us were pleased with our results – finishing without dying.”

Ullyett finished just under 30 minutes, Craven was under 40 minutes and Dion came in at 46 minutes.

"Not a personal best but the fact that I finished was a bonus,” said Dion. "I was not able to keep up with a couple of 60 and 65 year old women who smoked me.”

On Monday, Craven, Dion and Ullyett finished the 10-kilometre run as well.

Ullyett achieved a personal best of 39 minutes, Craven finished in 50 minutes and Dion came in at 56 minutes.

"I did a 26 minute first five kilometres and was very excited about that but couldn't maintain the pace for the second half,” said Dion. "Bryan was very pleased with his 50 minutes finish.”

Dion says the games have made her want to pursue more track events upon her return to Canada.

"There are many many role models for us to watch. We are in awe,” she said. "I am thinking we need to get into more track and field events. It is almost like being back in high school again.”

None of the members of Team Yukon are quite done yet in the outback.

Love and Astika still have the five-kilometre race walk on Sunday, Oct. 18., and Leduc will compete in two long distance qualifying events on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by the long distance final on Saturday Oct. 17.

Leduc will be facing new challenges in the races, based near Lithgow about 130 kilometres northwest of Sydney in native eucalyptus gully spur terrain.

"Let me tell you that these Games have been both inspiring and humbling,” said Dion.