Ukraine's Yuliya Yelistratova celebrates winning her first ITU World Cup race in three years ©ITU

Spain's David Castro and Ukraine's Yuliya Yelistratova won the men’s and women’s races respectively at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup event in Salinas in Colombia after years of off-podium finishes.

Castro last won a World Cup race in 2016, when he won the Salinas race then in its first edition.

The third edition of the Ecuadorian race in 2018 also saw the return of Yelistratova to form after she had no podium finishes at a World Cup event since 2015.

In the men’s race, Castro edged Brazil’s Manoel Messias by only two seconds as the sprint-distance race went down to the wire.

The Spaniard completed the course in 52min 21sec.

Following Castro and Messias was Portugal’s Joao Pereira, who finished in 52:24.

In the women’s event, Yelistratova was the fastest in a time of 58:19.

With little to choose between the leading group of athlete’s, Yelistratova’s final lap of the 5 kilometres run sealed her victory.

Brazil’s Luisa Baptista came the closest to Yelistratova in a time of 58:22 to win the silver medal. 

Chile’s Barbara Riveros completed the podium, crossing the line in 58:37.

The next ITU World Cup is due to take place in Tongyeong in South Korea on Sunday (October 28).