Lusanne Switzerland -Sunday the 3rd of September

My day started fairly early with a 7:30 start and a field of 43 taking to the pontoon. After getting a little beat up at the first bouy I exited the water a little further down than I would have liked. Onto the bike.  By the second lap the group I was in had caught the leaders where we formed a group of 9.
 
The bike course was 7 laps with 2 tough climbs per lap. I felt good on the bike and as there were a few attacks made on the flat I tried to do some damage on the hills. While I made some of the girls hurt (myself included) we all entered T2 together.
 
My transition wasnt great as my bike fell off the rack but once I was out I knew I had to run straight to the front. There was 4 of us away at the start and as we turned the pace up a little the girl from Great Britian dropped off the pace which left myself, fellow aussie Emma Moffat and Kiwi, Nicky Samuels. Samuals pushed hard through the 2nd and 3rd lap and there were 2 times where I thought I was gone.
 
I just kept telling myself that it will be easier in the long run if I just hang in there which I did and the pace slowed at the start of the last lap. As we wound around the last corner for the 1.25km to the finish Moffat increased the pace. With about 700 to go Samuels dropped of the pace so it was left to myself and Moffat to fight it out for the gold. 
 
As we came into the last 100m Moffat put the peddle down a little more and I realised that I wanted it so much more so I sprinted past her and didnt look back and as I grabbed the banner and put it over my head I was in a state of shock. I couldnt believe that I had just won.
 
At the medal ceremony I was more nervous that I was about to stand on the number 1 dias then I was before the race. Then having the national anthem played for "me". It was amazing.
 
It wasnt till this afternoon that I realised I will have this title forever. At every race I do I will be introduced as the "2006 U23 world champion." I gave me a real buzz.
 
I just want to thank you for your continued support and belief in me, and look forward to continuing in sharing even greater successes in the future.