Olympic mixed relay gold medallist Yee bounced back after missing out on the overall world title in the same city in December, when Frenchman Léo Bergère forced him to settle for silver in the grand final.

He was 30 seconds adrift after the swim but caught up quickly with the leaders during the 20 kilometre bike phase.

Yee was then superb on the 5km run as he pulled away up a hill before enjoying a one-man race to the finish.

The Tokyo 2020 individual silver medallist ended in 52min 53sec for a six second victory over Portugal's Vasco Vilaca.

Brazil's Manoel Messias earned bronze in 53:06.

Two-time overall champion Vincent Luis of France was fourth and his compatriot Bergère came home sixth.

"I came here with no expectations and raced free and I guess that's the outcome when you enjoy what you're doing," said Yee.

"It's just so good to be back racing these guys. 

"I just wanted to see how the last weeks of training in Australia had gone, so it's the fruits of our labour, it's worked out well, and I was feeling pretty good today."

Potter won her first gold at the highest level after a superb swim which was a springboard to featuring in a six-strong breakaway on the bike.

She pulled away with team-mate Sophie Coldwell on the run before leaving her adrift on the hill and winning in 57:56.

Coldwell won silver in 58:14 and Taylor Spivey of the United States took bronze in 58:27.

"It's always a bit of an unknown the first race of the season, but I've been training well and Johnny Brownlee texted me last night and said 'you're gonna win' and I couldn't believe it," said Potter. 

"I just wanted to do my best having worked not just on the physical side but also the mental. 

"I feel much more calm, positive and aggressive racing. 

"I knew I could potentially attack and run hard over the top of the hill, so it was back to my cross-country days there."

Bermuda's Olympic gold medallist and reigning world champion Flora Duffy has opted to delay the start of her season so was not in action.

Britain's Georgia Taylor-Brown, second overall behind Duffy last term, came out of the water 30 seconds behind the leaders and had to settle for 15th place.

The next leg of the Series is scheduled for Yokohama between May 13 and 14.