Olympic bronze medallist Jonny Brownlee followed in the footsteps of his brother Alistair by being crowned world champion in New Zealand.
The 22-year-old from Leeds headed into the World Triathlon Series Grand Final with a 180-point lead over Spain's Javier Gomez and needing just a podium finish to secure the overall title. And that was what transpired on a wet day in Auckland as Olympic silver medallist Gomez got the better of Brownlee in a sprint finish.
"It was a tough day today," said Brownlee, who won races in San Diego, Madrid and Stockholm this season. "The bike was really really hard and the first bit of the run everyone was tired."
He added: "The first two laps were nice and easy and then Javier attacked and it came to a sprint at the end and my tactics were shocking; I led him out into the wind and he just came past me. I am pleased the season's over, it's been a long year and I'm tired now."
Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee had hoped to race in Auckland to support Jonny but has been forced to rest after having his appendix removed last month, heading off to Brazil on holiday instead.
Gomez crossed the line in two hours and 29 seconds, with Brownlee two seconds behind and Switzerland's Sven Riederer another 47 seconds adrift in third.
Britain's David McNamee was 10th with compatriots Aaron Harris and Mark Buckingham 28th and 29th respectively and Adam Bowden 33rd.
In the under-23 race, Britain's Tom Bishop claimed his second consecutive bronze medal, while last year's champion Matt Sharp finished sixth.
"The bike course is awesome, I wish more races were like that," Bishop said of the hilly course. "I tried my hardest to hurt the legs of the guys and take the kick out of them but I didn't quite do it and I got third again, but I tried my hardest and I'm content with that.
"Getting a medal at a world championships is pretty good."
