Frederic Belaubre of France and Portugal's Vanessa Fernandes won the men's and women's title respectively at the Beijing Stop of the Triathlon World Cup yesterday, which took place on the 2008 Olympic course.

The test course for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which runs through the Ming Tombs, a landmark tourist spot in Changping District, proved tough, and the athletes battled hard on the hilly course.

Fernandes finished in a time of 2:01:34, equalling the previous record of 12 world cup victories in a row set by Australian Emma Carney in 1992, while the up-coming Belaubre beat the likes of world No 1 Brad Kahlefeldt of Australia and world champion Hunter Kamper of the United States.

"It's a great pleasure to win the World Cup on an Olympic route," said the 21-year-old Portuguese. "I did not feel very good today, but to beat the toughest athletes in the world is great. I am happy for myself, my family and for Portugal."

With the win, Fernandes has guaranteed herself the 2006 overall world cup title and a share of a US$250,000 bonus prize pool.

Fernandes bested current world champion Emma Snowsill of Australia by 44 seconds and enjoyed a further 47 seconds cushion over third place finisher Elizabeth May of Luxemburg.

Snowsill, who won the world championships in Switzerland this month, looked to be hurting in the hot and hazy conditions.

"It is tougher than it looks," said the Australian. "If this is the course they will use for the Olympics it will be a good test of a true triathlete."

A full women' field of 75 took to the water on the outskirts of Beijing for a preview of the 2008 Games course and valuable Olympic Qualifying points.

At the end of the first of two swim laps, the athletes were already strung out in the non-wetsuit swim.

Australian Annabel Luxford, who is back after injury, led a strong group out of the Changping reservoir, including Snowsill, Fernandes, Laura Bennett (US), Sarah Haskins (US), Samantha Warriner (NZL), Andrea Hewitt (NZL), Joelle Franzmann (GER) and Vanessa Raw (GBR).

Fernandes made a breakaway on the final bike lap to come off 10 seconds ahead of the chase pack, including top-ranked Anja Dittmer from Germany and Debbie Tanner from New Zealand, who both had a poor swim and were unable to bring themselves back into contention.

In her typical style, Fernandes moved to the front on the hilly four-lap run course. Her lead grew by 10 seconds each lap, giving her plenty of time to wave and clap to 3,000 cheerful spectators at the finish line.

May and Bennett had their own battle going for the final podium spot as they traded positions for the last 2 kilometres of the race. It was May's middle-distance track history that enabled her to out-kick Bennett to the line.

National champion Wang Hongni was the best-finishing Chinese, coming in 20th, with teammate Xing Lin 32nd.

(China Daily September 25, 2006)