Ashleigh Gentle has put together the race of her career to claim the World Triathlon Series grand final on the Gold Coast.
The local hope sprinted clear of overall series champion Vicky Holland in the final 100m to win her second WTS event and erase memories of a disappointing Commonwealth Games individual tilt at the same venue earlier this year.
Great Britain's Holland had earlier rallied to stay with Gentle and fend of American Katie Zaferes, who had started the race with a narrow overall series lead.
Gentle entered the series final in ninth and no chance of claiming overall honours.
But she raced like she belonged at the top, hanging tough in choppy swimming conditions before Australian teammate Emma Jeffcoat pulled her to the front on the bike leg.
Gentle came off the 40km bike leg in fifth and quickly joined Holland and Zaferes in a three-way battle at the front for her favoured leg.
Holland looked gone with more than 6km to go but found something extra in a rally that broke the American and handed her the overall title.
The Gold Coast 27-year-old didn't flinch, though, going shoulder to shoulder with Holland over the final stretch before bursting ahead on the final turn.
"That's going to take a really long time to sink in, to be honest. Complete disbelief," she said.
"I think that's the best sprint of my life."
Series contenders did well to avoid the carnage, with several crashes in the lead pack adding further spice to the finale.
Gentle finished the race with a bleeding right foot after the tongue of her shoe folded over and irritated her over the final 10km dash to the line.
"It was bit chaotic out there. You really had to have your wits about you," she said.
Australia hopes for a double on Sunday when Jake Birtwhistle, ranked second overall, vies with series leader Mario Mola in the elite men's event.
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