The inaugural elite world titles consisted of a swim, a mountain bike leg and a cross-country run.

Twenty five women took to the course at "The Ring", an innovative outdoor sports facility with a strong·sustainability·and environmental focus, with McQuaid's Canadian counterpart Christine Jeffrey leading after the opening one kilometre swim leg.

McQuaid took the lead on the mountain bike course, which she held into the 6km cross country leg of the event.

She faced a 15-second penalty but still held on to take the title.

Shonny Vanlandingham of the United States took second, with countrywoman Emma Garrard in third.

In the men's competition, after rival Eneko Llanos crashed on the mountain bike course, Stoltz took a clear lead and never looked back, with Seth Wealing of the US and Switzerland's Olivier Marceau finishing in third.

Stoltz, a double Olympian, was back on the ITU circuit for the first since the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

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