Hayden Wilde. Photo: photosport
Hayden Wilde and Amelia Watkinson made it a New Zealand double by notching wins at the Melbourne 70.3 half ironman distance triathlon.
Olympic triathlon bronze medallist WIlde capped a successful visit to Australia, having won the Noose triathlon a week ago in a course-record time.
Wilde led out of the water on Sunday at the suburban St Kilda course and was never headed over the 90km cycle and 21.1km run, posting victory by nearly eight minutes in 3hr 19min 29sec.
Victory hands Wilde an automatic start at next year's 70.3 world championship in his home town of Taupō.
His main goal next year will be the Paris Olympics, where he will again will be among the favourites.
"It's been a great season, I've had a few ups and downs and a few mishaps but it's really nice to finish off here winning Noosa last week, winning in Melbourne and I'm proper stoked to finish off the year on a high ... mission accomplished," Wilde said.
Australian Nick Thompson was second compatriot Steve McKenna, the defending champion, third.
Watkinson wins
It was a closer affair for Watkinson, who won in 3hr 53min 31sec win, but she had a much tougher race.
Watkinson only passed Australian Natalie Van Coeverden in the last 1km to win by 40 seconds, with Dutch triathlete Lotte Wilms another minute behind in third sport.
"I really had to dig deep for that one but to be honest it's more satisfying when that's the case, I'm really happy," said Watkinson, who was runner-up last year.
