Great Britain's Non Stanford put in her most impressive performance when it counted, to claim the 2012 ITU Under23 World Championship ahead of the Netherlands Sarissa De Vries and Canada's Joanna Brown.

The tough course, the weather conditions and the world championship titles were the topics the ITU's elite triathletes tackled as they met the press in Auckland on Friday. Click here to find out exactly what they said.

Beijing bronze medallist Tony Smoragiewicz returns in the men's junior race for a chance at the men's junior world title, but he will face opposition from strong Italian and Japanese teams.

The Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony officially launched the biggest ITU World Championships in history with over 3,000 athletes registered to compete over the next four days in Auckland.

In the final race of the season, Jonathan Brownlee and Javier Gomez are set to battle in an epic showdown in the hunt for a world title. Jonathan looks for his first, while Gomez guns for his third championship

The junior women will kick the final day of elite triathlon action into overdrive when they set off on a mad dash in search of a world title. Kiwi Mikayla Nielsen is back to defend her title over a sprint distance.

The Under23 men will take centre stage Saturday afternoon and will feature some of the most promising talent in men's triathlon. Matthew Sharp returns to defend his U23 world title, but it will be hard fought with this field

Olympic medallists Erin Densham and Lisa Norden are set to duel for the ITU World Championship title on Saturday but it will be a tough battle with this all-star line-up that includes home favourite Andrea Hewitt

A host of rising stars including France's Emmie Charayron and the Netherlands Maaike Caelers are set to battle for the women's Under23 World Championship title on October 20 in Auckland

Itching to watch the men's and women's elite races, but can't make it to Auckland? Not to worry. ITU has you covered from every corner of the world. Find out where you can watch the elite action and follow all other races