She came third in the first race of the season last November, the Auckland Harbour (2.8km) race, having been in the pool only twice in the six months leading up to the race. In the Russell to Pahia race - she had gained notoriety in 2010 by using only the butterfly stroke - she improved her position by coming second.
She wasn't able to travel to compete in race three or four in Wellington and Christchurch due to costs and family commitments, instead competing in the Mount Manganui swim on March 10 as her fourth swim.
She finished second in this race and initially thought she had secured second overall in the series. However, the series rankings are based on a swimmers age in the first race of the season, whereas individual race placings are based on a swimmers age on the day of the race.
Hambly's main competitor turned 35 after the first race, so was actually collecting series points in the lower age division, leaving room for Hambly to take the top spot in the women's 35-39 age division.
Kerikeri police officer Rob Cameron won the men's 50-54 age division - choosing to do all his swims without a wetsuit.
Fellow Kerikeri swimmer and vet Matt Peters won the men's 35-39 division. In the women's 70-74 division, Pat Owens-Bohme, from Whangarei, clinched the title.