Gentle had previously won five silver medals on the WTS circuit and put herself in contention for another podium finish by ensuring she was in the lead group after the swim.

She was joined by Americans Kirsten Kasper, Katie Zaferes and Taylor Knibb at the head of the field, which also contained WTS series leader Flora Duffy of Bermuda and New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt.

The group continued to pull clear on the 41.5 kilometres bike circuit in the Canadian city hosting a WTS event for the first time.

A hilly course led to the leaders slowing in the closing stages of the bike leg, as they prepared to contest the victory on the 10km run.

Gentle struck out earlier on the run and was able to move clear of her rivals to eventually claim victory in a time of 1 hour 59min 04sec.

She finished 23 seconds clear of second placed Duffy, the Bermudan remaining at the top of the series standings on 3,940 points, as Gentle moved to second on 3,286.

The podium was completed by Hewitt, who finished in a time of 1:59:48.

"I had so many things on my mind coming into this race," said Gentle.

"I needed to focus on the little things rather than the results, and I did.

"I made it.

"It has taken me six years to get on top of the WTS podium, six years of up and downs, a few second places and I finally made it."

Competition in Montreal is due to continue tomorrow with the men's elite event.

Spain’s Mario Mola among the favourites to earn victory.