Snowsill blazes to triathlon gold

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — Australian triple world champion Emma Snowsill made light of searing heat as she ran a blistering road race to win the Olympic women's triathlon by more than a minute on Monday.

The pint-sized Snowsill, who missed the Australian team for 2004, burned off fierce rival Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal in the final section to close in 1hr 58:27min, a gap of 1:06. Australia's Emma Moffatt took bronze in 1:59:55.84.

Snowsill, 27, had such a commanding lead that she took time to celebrate with fans down the final straight, beaming and waving the Australian flag as she crossed the line.

"I didn't feel awesome," she confided. "It was extremely hard, it was hot. I think it was a great course for a triathlon. It was a really tough course."

The...