Emerging from the water more than a minute ahead of seasoned campaigner Geoff Baker, Grayland found himself trailing after the cycle leg and had to rely on his foot speed to claim victory in an overall time of 55 minutes and one second (55.01).

In a powerful display on two wheels, Baker ate into Grayland's lead before establishing a five-second break heading into run transition.

However, Grayland showed his strength in the run and set himself up for a hard fought win.

Baker finished in second place in a time of 57.44 with Paolo La Penna rounding out the podium in 1:00.25.

Cameron Rains' first event of the new year saw the experienced campaigner come home fourth with Garon Johnston holding off a fast finishing Clinton 'Dook' Elliott to round out the top five.

Elliott will continue to have fellow competitors looking over their shoulders as he makes rapid improvement. A noted runner, Elliott shaved more than two minutes off his swim leg and looked more comfortable on the bike.

In the women's open Sprint Triathlon, Kylie Baker (1:01.27) also made it two wins in successive events by holding off strong challenges from Michelle Rowlingson (1:03.14) and Amanda Gowing (1:04.11).

Baker followed Rowlingson and Gower out of the water but reeled in her nearest rivals with a fast paced cycle leg. Her 28.36 split on the bike set up an unassailable lead heading into the 4.5km run.

Amy Dredge made a return to action and finished fourth.

Damien Stringer recovered from a two-minute deficit to prevail in the veteran 40 men's event. In a two man battle, Stringer gave fellow veteran Col Ryder a head start but superior cycle and run legs saw Stringer home in 1:05.07, four minutes in front of Ryder.

Regular protagonists in the veteran 60 women's event Dale Rackham and Rosina Oliver resumed their rivalry.