Agencies
Glasgow, July 24
England's Jodie Stimpson claimed the first gold medal of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, winning the women's triathlon.
Stimpson finished strongly to sprint away from Canada's Kirsten Sweetland in the late stages of the 10-kilometre run leg at Strathclyde Loch to triumph in one hour, 58 minutes and 56 seconds.
Sweetland took silver, five seconds adrift of Stimpson, and England's Vicky Holland won the bronze in 1:59.11.
Emma Jackson was the best-placed Australian in fifth position, clocking 1:59.34. Her countrywomen Emma Moffatt (2:01.31) and Ashleigh Gentle (2:03.24) also posted top 10 finishes, placing seventh and ninth respectively.
Stimpson admits she was not confident ahead of the opening 1.5km swim leg but her spirits rose before getting on the bike.
"I was nervous about the swim but I had an awesome swim actually," she said.
"The race was brutal and the bike was definitely a challenge. It was important to be aware and sensible."
Triathlon is being contested for only the third occasion at the Commonwealth Games, the sport having made its debut in Manchester in 2002.
It was also a part of the 2006 Games program in Melbourne but dropped for Delhi in 2010.
