The drama was in the women's race where Switzerland’s Nina Derron seemed to have the race in control as she demolished the field on the bike to take a 6:13 lead on to the run. Melbourne rookie Grace Thek who has a U.S. college running background, began to eat into the lead, down to 2:42 at halfway and 1:19 back with 7kms left. She took the lead with 3kms remaining but Derron kept in touch. When Thek fell once on the chute, got up and ran on, but fell again almost within reach of the line, the Swiss athlete edged past for the win while Aussie Laura Dennis completed the podium, three minutes back.
Sam Appleton caught swim leaders Amberger and Rio Olympian Ryan Fisher on the bike, with the trio opening a handy advantage, which was engulfed by chasers Lachlan Kerin, Jack Tierney and Jake Montgomery by the time they reached T2. Appleton made his early move on the run, and was 42s ahead at the 7km mark and a minute over Fisher and Amberger at 10km. Amberger pushed into second place with 7km remaining but Appleton held off the challenge to win by 1:28, with Fisher a further 1:48 back in third.
Top 5 Pro Men
1 Sam Appleton AUS 3:45:52
2 Josh Amberger AUS 3:47:21
3 Ryan Fisher AUS 3:49:09
4 Jake Montgomery AUS 3:49:57
5 Jack Tierney AUS 3:52:18
Top 5 Pro Women
1 Nina Derron SUI 4:26:11
2 Grace Thek AUS 4:26:18
3 Laura Dennis AUS 4:29:38
4 Kirralee Seidel AUS 4:33:36
5 Melanie Burke NZL 4:34:46