New Zealand triathlon star Hayden WIlde has capped his Australian raid with a dominating win at the Melbourne 70.3 race.
Wilde led out of the water on Sunday at suburban St Kilda and won by nearly eight minutes, a week after breaking the course record at the 40th Noosa triathlon.
The swim was shortened from 1.9km to 900m because of strong winds at St Kilda beach.
Conditions improved through the morning as Wilde took control on the 90km cycle and 21.1km run, winning in three hours 19 minutes 30 seconds.
Australian Nick Thompson was second in 3:27:28 and compatriot Steve McKenna, the defending champion, completed the podium 30 seconds later.
The win also gives Wilde an automatic start for next year's 70.3 world titles in his home town of Taupo.
His main goal next year will be the Paris Olympics, where Wilde 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," he said.
Amelia Watkinson made it a New Zealand double with her 3:53:31 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.
