Findlay made her decisive move on the final mile of the run to deny last year’s winner Nicola Spirig, finishing in a time of 1 hour 51mi and 48sec on the fast and flat course.

Switzerland’s Spirig was just three seconds behind with Jenkins a further two seconds adrift.

It was the first-ever World Championship Series start for Findlay, who won her first ITU World Cup race in Monterrey, Mexico, in April.
 
The 21-year-old, who was encouraged to take up the sport after being inspired by the 2001 World Championships when they were staged in her home city of Edmonton, was overwhelmed with her triumph.

She said: "I absolutely can't believe this.

"I felt better than ever on the run.
 
"I definitely did not expect to win, but I felt so smooth on the first two laps and then just tried to push things on the final lap.

"This is just crazy - I'm so happy."

The result leaves Jenkins fifth in the overall World Championship series standings.

Vicky Holland and Jodie Swallow made it a good day for British Triathlon after putting in impressive performances to finish sixth and seventh respectively, both within a minute of the winner.

Jenkins (pictured centre), 28, from Bridgend, was satisfied with her performance and the former world champion said: "I’m really happy to be out there on the podium in front of the home crowd.

"The home support was amazing and I couldn’t believe how many people were shouting for me.

"I’ve met my goal today and I really tried to commit to it.

"I didn’t have the best swim but I pushed hard on the bike and on the run.

"I’m disappointed not to win, but this is probably the best field assembled for a couple of years so to get on the podium is fantastic."

Reigning world champion Emma Moffat finished ninth, 1min 24sec behind Findlay and will take an overall lead to round six of the series in Kitzbuhel, Austria, next month.

Moffat said: "I didn’t have my best day today, but I’m still at the top overall and I’m going to try and maintain that over the next two races.

"The girls were pushing a really fast race today and I fell off a bit."

It had all started so brightly for Moffat after exiting the 21-degree Serpentine water at the head of a tightly bunched field.

A large leading group stayed together for the 40 kilometres bike course staged around eight laps of the Park.

But Jenkins, looking to improve on her recent bronze in the Madrid leg last month, used her leg strength to quickly whittle down the group early on the run.

Only Findlay, Spirig and Kiwi Andrea Hewitt were able to maintain Jenkin’s pace as Moffat was dropped early on the first lap. 

"The leading pack of four stayed together and a sprint finish looked likely until Findlay’s decisive late break.

Olympic champion Emma Snowsill’s run of bad form continued and the Australian withdrew on the bike leg.


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