Matt Poole survived a final-turn collision and a protest to edge out championship leader Shannon Eckstein and take out round three of the Ironman series.
Poole and Eckstein embarked on a sprint finish to cap off the four-loop format at Newcastle Beach, with Eckstein going down after a tangle of legs as they rounded the final marker.
Race referee Andrew Buhk reviewed the circumstances surrounding the finish before declaring Poole the winner, only for Eckstein to the lodge an official protest.
After a couple of hours behind closed doors, the protest was dismissed and officials confirmed that the original race results would stand, with Ky Hurst coming in behind Poole and Eckstein.
"It was a 40 minute battle in the water and on land," Poole said.
"Shannon and I were neck and neck coming off the final ski and I knew it was going to be a tough sprint up the beach with the king of the sport.
"I took the inside line going around the final can and it was unintentional interference.
"My knee clipped his ankle and my arm went up but as far as I was concerned that was it.
"I have too much respect for Shannon to do anything purposely but I saw an opportunity and I took it.
Eckstein was dumbfounded by the decision.
"The rule is that there can't be any jostling or impeding," he said.
"From my perspective there was both of those things, but the committee didn't see it that way.
"Unfortunately it cost me 3 points and I hope it's not series defining."
After three rounds, Eckstein retains his series lead on 54 points, followed by Hurst on 47 and Kendrick Louis and Poole in joint fourth on 45 points.
The two rounds of the Ironwoman series was controversy-free as Liz Pluimers proved she was back in business after a 12-month break from the sport as she became the first Ironwoman to claim two wins on the one day to close the gap to series-leader Courtney Hancock.
"I couldn't have asked for a better result winning back-to-back rounds," Pluimers said.
"Courtney had the perfect start to the series at Smiths Beach and this weekend I was determined to come out and perform at my best."
Reigning series champion Hancock had a second and third in the two races, as did Kristyl Smith.
After four rounds, Hancock leads on 72 points, followed by Pluimers on 68 and Smith on 64.
