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The margin was further increased after the swimming, with de Reil scoring 1,182 points compared to Cook's 1,138, while Allenby's 1191 further pressed her claims.
De Reil again outscored her rivals in the equestrian section, amassing 1,070 points, with Cook and Allenby both gaining 1040, however Cook had remained in touch with the leaders, and with as befitted someone whose sporting background had been in the cross-country, running was her strongest suit and she knew that if she could produce her best, she still had a chance of taking the overall crown.
As the event drew to a climax, Cook was back in eighth place, 98 points behind the leader, de Reil, with Allenby also looking strong 44 points ahead of her compatriot.
Under the format of the event this led to her starting 49 seconds behind the leader in what was effectively a handicap race. However, in a tense finish, Cook made up the ground to pass the previous leader with 250 metres to go and clinch the gold medal with a score of 5,018 points. De Reil was second, eight points behind with Stephanie's team-mate Kate Allenby in third scoring 5,273 points.
Individually she won the World Championships the following summer as well as being part of the Great Britain team that won the relay and team events. She was awarded the MBE for her services to the sport, before opting to retire at the age of 29 to resume her medical career.
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