DUNNINGTON'S Dot Wagstaff was simply three-mendous as she became a world triathlon champion in New Zealand.

Wagstaff, who competes for the York-based White Rose Triathletes Club, was the best in her class during her first attempt at the Olympic Distance World Championships, finishing more than five minutes ahead of her nearest rival.

The York District Hospital physio also fought against choppy waters and strong currents to recover from a seven-minute deficit after a tough swim in an open lake.

Wagstaff did not even realise she had won the world title afterwards, fearing a finishing time that was 20 minutes outside of her personal best would be too slow.

But the gruelling course made good times impossible and when Wagstaff crossed the finishing line in a time of three hours, six minutes and three seconds for the 1500m swim, 26-mile bike ride and 10k run it proved to be an excellent effort.

York's new world champion returned to the city this week and said: "I was very surprised, astonished and amazed to learn that I had won. I went back to the campsite as soon as I finished and felt I had not done very well because of the time.

"But the people I was staying with went to check the results on the computer and they returned with champagne and started spraying me and the camper van.

"I then got a quick shower and rushed back down for the presentation ceremony."

The temperatures in New Zealand were perhaps not as hot as anticipated but a storm the night before the competition created strong winds that effected every athlete's performance.

"My time was poor because it was a terribly hard course," Wagstaff said. "The lake swim was very tough and created currents that took you away from the course.

"You had to fight your way around so it made it a more trying event. The cycle was OK but the run was also tough.

"It was a four-lap course and there were two hills on each lap."

Australian Janice Croft faded after a terrific swimming display left her a clear leader after the championships' first leg, allowing Wagstaff to beat Great Britain team-mate and nearest rival Maureen Burrows to first place.

It was a terrific achievement but, sadly, Wagstaff is unlikely to be defending her title in Madeira, Spain next May.

GB selectors had originally indicated that anybody finishing in the top 10 at New Zealand would automatically qualify for the next World Championships but then changed their minds and named next year's team before Wagstaff's victory.

"I doubt I will be going to Madeira but I haven't got a problem with the selectors' decision," Wagstaff said. "They needed to let people know in advance for Madeira and, even though I felt I wanted to go if I had been selected because of a top-ten finish, it might have been a struggle to get the time off work and the money together to make the trip."

After a Christmas break, Wagstaff will also start her preparations for a first stab at the Ironman Triathlon World Championships.

That event takes place next October in Hawaii where a punishing 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike race and a marathon lie in wait.

Wagstaff praised White Rose Triathletes coach Paul Mathieson for devising her training plan and Alan Mason for his help in her success as swimming coach.

White Rose team-mate Phil Dick finished 70th in New Zealand and York-based Christine Buckley was the fourth Briton home on her way to a top-20 finish.

Updated: 10:07 Saturday, December 20, 2003