Former world champion triathlete Emma Moffatt has started her Olympic year with a commanding win in the Australian Sprint Distance Championships at Geelong.

Moffatt led from the start and won the race by more than a minute on Sunday afternoon.

Moffatt and New Zealander Teresa Adam took control after the 750-metre swim and led throughout the 20-kilometre bike leg.

The Queenslander broke away at the start of the run and crossed the line in an unofficial time of one hour one minute and 47 seconds.

While Adam faded to fifth, German Anne Haug had a strong run to finish second, one minute and eight seconds behind the Australian.

British triathlete Liz Blatchford was third, while Australian Erin Densham recovered from a disappointing swim and bike to finish with a strong run and take fourth place.

Moffatt has secured an early nomination for the London Olympics, but competitors such as Densham are aiming to grab the other two spots on the women’s team for the Games.