KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii, Oct 10 AAP - The Australian triathlon great formerly known as Emma Snowsill is healthy again at last, pregnant and one half of the sport's ultimate power couple.
After husband Jan Frodeno won the Hawaiian Ironman world title for the first time, the German playfully kissed her baby bump at the finish line.
While this was an unusually-barren year for top Australians at Hawaii - Liz Blatchford's third was the only top-10 finish - their influence in the men's race was profound.
American Tim O'Donnell's career-best third place also meant a great end to a lousy day for his wife, Australia's three-time Hawaiian champion Mirinda Carfrae.
She pulled out of the race midway through the bike.
And Tyler Butterfield from Bermuda, who also had a breakthrough day to finish fifth, is married to Australian triathlete and cyclist Nikki Butterfield (nee Egyed).
Frodeno's championship made him the first triathlete to do the ultimate double in triathlon - win a Hawaiian and an Olympic gold medal.
He and his wife took out the triathlons at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, two years before they became a couple.
Emma is a three-time world champion and this was Frodeno's second world crown after winning the 70.3 (or half-Ironman) title earlier this year.
"It's funny to have a great year and still come home and be a world title short," Frodeno joked.
"It's great having her by my side, because she understands it."
Emma had to retire last year because of sinus and chest infections that had plagued her since 2009.
But now she has regained her health and is six months pregnant.
Snowsill also could not be more proud of her husband.
"I will let you in on a secret - I always dreamed that I would make that history myself, but I didn't realise that I'd be a part of it," Snowsill said.
"I honestly think it's more rewarding than if it was for myself.
"I was crying, 5km out - it was so emotional."
She spent some of the race spectating with Carfrae, whose lower back seized up three days after she was hit by a car while on a bike ride.
"Obviously Rinny had a tough day," O'Donnell said.
"We're building a house now, so I heard she pulled out and I guess I had to make some money today.
"She's carried her weight enough for the last couple of years."
After a tough race at Hawaii last year, Butterfield said he knew not to sulk if anything went wrong this time.
"I will just say they make them tough Down Under - last year I didn't have a good race and the sympathy doesn't go very far," he said.
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