Friday, 15 September 2017:

Australia has enjoyed a golden start to the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Rotterdam, with its all-conquering paratriathletes grabbing two gold and two silver medals on the opening day.

Vision-impaired Rio gold medallist Katie Kelly added a second world crown to her Paralympic win from last year and her first world title in 2015 with guide, 2000 Olympic silver medallist Michellie Jones.

There was further excitement in the Australian camp when Gold Coast Commonwealth Games automatic nominee Emily Tapp grabbed her maiden world title in the PTWC category for wheelchair athletes.

A third gold went begging when Albury's Justin Godfrey lost valuable time after suffering a flat tyre early on the bike - dropping to fourth before riding into silver.

And in further bad luck for the Australians, a crash also early in the bike cost Victoria's Paralympian Kate Doughty a podium place.

She lost more than two minutes but recovered and battled on bravely for fourth.

AAP