Briton Alex Yee strides for the line to win the International Triathlon Union World Mixed Relay title in Nottingham ©Twitter

Britain secured glory at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Mixed Relay Series in Nottingham as they finished more than half a minute clear of Switzerland to claim gold.

The ITU had been forced to revert to a duathlon format yesterday after torrential rain had raised safety concerns for swimming in the River Trent.

It meant the traditional opening leg was replaced by a 1.5 kilometre run for the 14 competing nations, before a two-lap seven kilometres bike leg and an additional 1.5 kilometre run.

Georgia Taylor-Brown, a winner at the Leeds World Triathlon Series last weekend, was the most senior of the British quartet which also contained Ben Dijkstra, Sophie Coldwell and Alex Yee.

The team commanded the race and it was Yee who took the tape on the anchor leg with only the slick roads a danger to his winning display following an earlier downpour.

“I was put in such an amazing position by fantastic team mates that I just had to hold on," said Yee.

“I just wanted to stay safe on the bike. 

"In triathlon things can go wrong so quickly –  and I didn’t want that to happen.”

France collected bronze at the International Triathlon Union World Mixed Relay Series event in Nottingham ©Twitter
France collected bronze at the International Triathlon Union World Mixed Relay Series event in Nottingham ©Twitter

With most countries opting for youth, the highest ranked athlete was Britain's Taylor-Brown and she led the race by building a 24sec lead on the bike heading into transition.

An anguished Renee Tomlin limped through the final 1.5 kilometres as the United States fell out of contention and Taylor-Brown handed over to Dijkstra with an additional two seconds gained in transition.

A junior world duathlon champion, Dijkstra set off ahead of Dorian Coninx from France, with six nations hot on their heels.

France appeared to be the closest challengers for glory in Nottingham but as Coninx seemed likely to close the gap on Dijkstra, the Briton seized his moment and pushed the advantage out to 35sec as Coldwell took up the mantle.

Coldwell had finished ninth behind Taylor-Brown in Leeds and continued her form as she retained the advantage before tagging Yee for the anchor leg.

Yee eventually took the tape in 1hour 23min 14.42sec with Switzerland's Adrien Brifford coming home in second after outkicking French European champion Pierre Le Corre.

Canada’s Alexis Lepage held off Germany’s Jonas Schomburg for fourth, with Italy placing sixth.

New Zealand finished seventh, ahead of reigning Commonwealth champions Australia.