 Australians Kahlefeldt and Snowsill strike gold |
Emma Snowsill and Brad Kahlefeldt completed a triathlon double to end Australia's medal jinx at major events. Despite being a force in triathlon world championships, Australia had never won gold at either the Olympic or Commonwealth Games.
England's Tim Don finished fourth in the men's event, despite leading at some stage in each of the disciplines.
England's Liz Blatchford and Andrea Whitcombe were sixth and seventh in the women's event with Julie Dibens 10th.
Welsh pair Anneliese Heard and Leanda Cave were 11th and 13th respectively while Scotland's Catriona Morrison finished 15th.
Australia's world champion Snowsill ended her country's medal drought by fighting off New Zealander Sam Warriner to win the women's event.
Kahlefeldt made it a double for the hosts with New Zealand's Bevan Docherty taking the silver medal.
Snowsill's jinx-busting victory prompted Australia triathlon coach Bill Davoran to say: "Ding, dong, the witch is dead."
The diminutive Snowsill beat off a strong challenge from New Zealanders Warriner and Andrea Hewitt, who outsprinted fellow Kiwi Debbie Tanner to take the bronze.
Snowsill, the 2003 and 2005 world champion, kept in touch with the leaders during the swim and bike sections, and came into her own on the run, surging into the lead a third of the way through the 10km run.
Kahlefeldt also kicked clear halfway through the run stage to build up an unassailable lead.
The real battle was the race for silver, with Docherty pulling away close to the line to leave Australian 2005 world champion Peter Robertson with the bronze.
MMIX
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