Emma Snowsill claimed triathlon gold for Australia as she stormed to victory in Beijing earlier this morning. I managed the early 3am start to watch the event live on TV and what a spectacle it was. The quality in the field of athletes was just outstanding and along with the beautiful scenery surrounding the Ming Tomb Reservoir, the race was just magnificent.

The Commonwealth Games champion, 27, broke clear at the start of the 10k run and never looked like being caught as she won in one hour and 58.27 seconds.

Portugal’s Vanessa Fernandes won silver and Australian Emma Moffatt the bronze.

British world champion Helen Tucker came 21st while Hollie Avil, who has been struggling with a stomach bug, withdrew during the 40k bike ride.

Tucker had been in contention at the changeover from bike to run, having been in the lead group for much of the race. But Snowsill stormed clear and another breakaway group formed and Tucker struggled to match the pace. Tucker was hoping to add an Olympic medal to her World Championship win earlier this year.

The Welsh triathlete finished more than four minutes behind Snowsill but Avil, the 18-year-old national champion, could not cope with the punishing pace.

Shortly after Avil retired an eight-bike pile-up at the end of lap five dashed the hopes of Canada’s Laura Groves and Russian Irina Abysova as riders careered over the barrier and into each other at the hairpin stadium turn.

For Snowsill her victory made up for the pain of missing out on selection for the team to compete at the last Olympics in Athens four years ago.

You can watch highlights of the the women’s race here. Roll on the men’s race tomorrow morning!!

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