“It means a lot…it’s my first major international open water medal apart from the World Cup (bronze),” said Lee.

“I’m really happy and just shows that the training is paying off and that’s what’s really important," she said.

The event was the last event as the 2018 Pan Pacs calendar as Lee, who was fresh from her fourth place in the 1500m, and Rio Olympian Chelsea Gubecka were quick to mix it with the best.

Over the first nine kilometres, the pair took it to the best, sitting around the front pack before the moves started to come.

Reigning Pan Pacs Champion Haley Anderson of the USA was too quick over the final kilometre but it was Lee who also stormed home for her best ever international performance to take the silver with Gubecka finishing in seventh.

“There is no doubt you have to be always thinking on your feet (during the race); it’s very tactical and you have to stick to what you know you can do," Lee said.

“I was able to conserve enough energy to bring it home in the end, that’s something that I haven’t be able to do in the past and that’s really exciting to do that today….and I was happy to get as close as I did to Hayley (Anderson) today – she’s noted as one of the best in the world,” she said.