Snowsill claims gold for Australia

MELBOURNE, Mar 18 (Reuters) Australia's Emma Snowsill powered away on the final run leg to win the gold medal in the women's triathlon at the 18th Commonwealth Games today.

The world number two fought off a strong challenge from New Zealanders, with Sam Warriner winning silver. Andrea Hewitt outsprinted fellow Kiwi Debbie Tanner to take bronze on the line.

Snowsill, the 2003 and 2005 world champion, kept in touch with the leaders during the 1.5 km swim and 40 km bike legs, but came into her own as she surged to the front about a third of the way into the closing 10 km run along Melbourne's foreshore.

''I honestly can't believe it, it's still sinking in,'' the 24-year-old Snowsill told Australian television.

Australia had never won a women's triathlon gold medal at the Commonwealth Games or Olympics and an emotional Snowsill stopped to kiss her father and drape an Australian flag over her shoulders before crossing the finish line.

REUTERS VJ RAI0602