Annabel Luxford (AUS) won the first ITU World Cup of the 2006 season in a time of 1:59:36 with Joelle Franzmann (GER) taking her first ever World Cup silver 12 seconds behind. Laura Bennett (USA) led most of the race taking two of the three primes but faded slightly on the run taking the final podium spot 29 seconds behind Luxford. Ex-Brit (she now races for France) Jess Harrison finished 4th.

In the men's race Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) flew through the 10km run to finish in a time of 1:51:18 and claim top prize making it a double victory for Australia. Only nine seconds separated the top three athletes as Mark Fretta of the USA and Volodymyr Polikarpenko of the Ukraine were hot on Kahlefeldt's heels coming into the finish straight and finished second and third respectively. Fretta made his move with only 50 metres to go and Polikarpenko was unable to match his kick. Richard Stannard finished 17th, some 3 minutes back and appears to have lost ground on the run.

Get the full story on the ITU website.