Matthew Hauser has added a Noosa Triathlon title to his resume to ice a world-beating season in which he thinks he's helped move the needle in Olympic-distance racing.
After a crowded 1.5km swim, the Hervey Bay junior broke from the pack on a steamy 40km bike leg and held off American John Reed by one minute over the 10km run to win in one hour 42 minutes and 38 seconds on Sunday.
Defending champion Brayden Mercer (sixth) fell on the bike leg to end his duel with training partner Hauser while Luke Willian (third) added another Noosa podium finish.
The 27-year-old also won in Wollongong a fortnight ago to cap a dominant campaign and become Australia's first world triathlon champion in 15 years.
"Bit nauseous, but elated," Hauser, second in 2023, said.
"It's good to get on the top step.
"It was hard to keep the motivation after Wollongong, but Noosa holds a special place in my heart.
"I was here as a 13-year-old getting (three-time winner, two-time Olympian) Aaron Royle's autograph, who retired here today."
He'll race the hometown Hervey Bay 100 later this month and then enjoy an off-season, before recharging for a world series reunion with Alex Lee and Hayden Wilde, who beat Hauser to the Noosa title two years ago.
The star duo pursued marathon and middle-distance racing respectively after going one-and-two at the Paris Olympics, but will be back in the mix in 2026.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge. The sport's evolved and we'll see them come back in the fold and push the needle even further," Hauser said.
"Coming into LA 2028 it's going to be more fierce than ever.
"I feel we've really pushed the sport forward; it'll be interesting."
Hauser, aiming to become Australia's first male to medal at triathlon in the Olympics, played a straight bat when asked if he had a message for the pair.
"Nothing but love for those two; champions and can't wait for more battles to come," he said.
In-form British talent Jess Fullagar (1:56:08), fifth in Wollongong, surprised herself to win the women's event in her race debut.
Her victory came with 10-time defending champion Ashleigh Gentle, who has won 11 of the last 12 titles, watching from the sidelines as she prepares for the T100 series conclusion in Dubai and Qatar in the next five weeks.
"I've never experienced anything like this .... I can't quite believe it," Fullager said.
"Ashleigh winning it so many years in a row, it's a bit surreal to have my name up there with her now.
"But it's a whole different thing to win it 11 times."
Australia's under-23 world champion Richelle Hill was second, more than three minutes behind, while Paris Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand was a further minute back in third.
Fullagar said the prospect of a Noosa duel in 2026 with Gentle was tantalising but perhaps unrealistic given next year's world series finale is in Spain.
"I really hope I can and would love to race her one day, so hopefully it's on the cards," she said.
NOOSA TRIATHLON
MEN: Matthew Hauser (1:42:38), John Reed (1:43:38), Luke Willian (1:44:44), Brandon Copeland (1:45:12), Jack Willis (1:45:42).
WOMEN: Jess Fullagar (1:56:08), Richelle Hill (1:59:34), Cassandre Beaugrand (2:00:32), Lotte Wilms (2:04:04), Danielle de Francesco (2:06:42).
