England take first gold in Commonwealth Games

Englands Jodie Stimpson (left) with her gold medal after winning the Womens Triathlon alongside teammate Vicky Holland. Picture Getty

“This is absolutely fantastic,” Stimpson said afterwards. “It’s definitely not just mine, it belongs to my family my friends and my coach - thank you so much guys.”

Stimpson missed out on the London Olympics two years ago and rated her Glasgow gold the crowning achievement of her career to date. “I was obviously devastated to miss a home Olympics but that gave me the kick up the backside I needed.”

Canada’s Kirsten Sweetland took the silver medal. A leading pack of eight became six then five then three in the heat. The course was hilly but Holland rated it as “awesome” and seemed unperturbed by the heat, describing the conditions as the best they’d experienced this year.

Stimpson confessed that when she hit the front she was too scared to look back to see who’d stayed with her.”I wanted to run out solid but everyone else was doing that as well. I was expecting not that many to stay with us but when it’s a big championship everybody bring out what they’ve got.”

She hoped she’d “planted the flag” for more England success. “We have an awesome team.” she said.