Non Stanford became the third British woman in three years to win the Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town.
Jodie Stimpson made it a British one-two as she secured silver over the sprint distance course.
Flora Duffy of Bermuda was the early leader with some clever tactics during the swim that saw her take a different line to the rest of the field. She held her lead throughout the bike leg, but had a chase pack headed by Stimpson and Stanford just behind her.
Making decisive starts to the run, Stanford, Stimpson and Vicky Holland got into a small group with Duffy and Germany’s Anne Haug. As the 5km run progressed, Stanford eased into a lead and became the third British woman in three years to win in Cape Town.
Stanford, who was starting her 2016 season, said: “I came here to see where I was, and I think everything is on track. I’m definitely not in my ideal race shape, so it means there is more to come, which is exciting.”
Meanwhile in the men’s event there was a surprise victory for Fernando Alarza – his first World Triathlon Series victory.
The Spaniard came home just ahead of Jonathan Brownlee, with France’s Dorian Coninx third.
And after a difficult few weeks following his collapse at the Gold Coast event, Brownlee was relieved to have performed so well, even if it came as a surprise to him.
He said: “I didn’t finish in a stretcher, so that was a start! The last few weeks I have felt terrible since the Gold Coast, it just takes a lot out of you doing that.
“I wasn’t even sure if I was going to start today because I felt that bad. But as we came out of the swim and the bike, we tried to keep the really fast runners behind.
“Dorian and I really led on the bike, he was as strong as an ox on the bike, we played very tactical on the bike. And while second is not a victory, but from where I was two weeks ago, it is a big improvement.”
Sportsbeat 2016