In the women's race, Cook triumphed at the last World Cup race of the year despite receiving a 15 second penalty for a false start.

After a dominant swim, Cook left the water first alongside Brazil's Vittoria Lopes but had to serve her penalty in the first transition zone.

Not allowing the penalty to affect her, the American chased down Lopes and formed a front group of four containing Australia's Jaz Hedgeland and Japan's Yuko Takahashi.

Cook led the race as they entered the running leg and held on for the victory in front of her team-mate Chelsea Burns.

The winning time of 2 hours 1min and 1sec was 10 seconds in front of Burns' mark of 2:01:11.

The bronze went to Spain's Miriam Casillas in 2:01:54.

In the men's race, Spain's Hernandez managed to overcome a season of injury to win the Japanese race.

New Zealand's Trent Thorpe exited the water first but after two laps on the bikes, a 23-rider group formed.

Home favourites Ren Sato and Jumpei Furuya led at the end of the cycling leg with a 16 second advantage.

Whilst the top three seemed to have over-exerted themselves on the bike, Hernandez still had strength in his legs as he overtook the leaders after 5km.

With an impressive 20 second gap, the Spaniard eased off into the closing stages, enjoying the accolades from the crowd.

Hernandez finished in 1:49:11 in front of American Eli Hemming in silver who posted a time of 1:49:30.

Italy’s Delian Stateff was third in 1:49:48.