Helen Tucker stunned by world triathlon triumph

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'One of the most shocking upsets in recent history,' stated the website of the International Triathlon Union (ITU), and the Welsh athlete was not arguing.

Helen Tucker of Great Britain reacts as she crosses the finish line in first place during the Elite women event at the Triathlon World Championships in Vancouver British Columbia

'Two weeks ago I wasn't even going to be racing here. I am stunned to win,' she said. Tucker, 25, out last year with a torn achilles tendon, had no need to compete in the championships in Vancouver because she had won her place at the Olympics two weeks ago when second in a World Cup round in Madrid.

But the national champion in 2005 and 2006 was persuaded to insert another competition in her programme by the British Triathlon Association. They calculated that if she won, it would qualify Britain for a third Games place and they worked out a team plan. Tucker and her team-mates followed it to the letter.

She stayed with the leading group of five in the 1500m swim and broke away with American Sarah Haskins during the 40km bike ride.

Tucker's team-mates were under orders to stay with the chasing pack but to do nothing to help them, reducing the effectiveness of the peloton's effort. Haskins and Tucker then paced each other for most of the 10km run but in the final 200m the Briton surged ahead.

'I've never sprinted in my life. I guess I was lucky that Sarah wasn't a sprinter either,' she said after her win by four seconds. I can't even think about Beijing. This win will take a long while to sink in.'

However, Tucker's efforts to gain Britain a third Olympic place may have been in vain. The ITU may give it to Austria's defending Olympic champion Kate Allen, who has failed to qualify by any other route.