Brownlee, the 27-year-old who had failed to win in either 2013 or 2014 in London, had problems transitioning from the swim to the bike in the shortened sprint format, where both fields completed a 750 metres swim, followed by a 20 kilometres bike and a 5km run.

But, as he has made a habit of doing throughout his illustrious career, Brownlee then blew the field away in the concluding run, finishing 12 seconds ahead of his nearest rival in 50min 39sec

Spain's Fernando Alarza finished second, while Vincent Luis of France was a further six seconds behind in third. 

A delighted Brownlee told the BBC afterwards that he "felt so good" throughout the race, despite missing the early part of the season through injury.

"Some of guys went really quick during the first kilometre of the run," he said.

"I then got into my stride and felt really good, I was glad to be able to race to the best of my ability.

"I haven't done that for a while."

In the absence of world champion and series leader Javier Gómez, most of the other big names also disappointed.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Richard Murray of South Africa's was  fifth, last year's London winner Mario Mola of Spain was down in 14th, while Olympic bronze medallist Jonathan Brownlee - Alistair's younger brother - suffered a mechanical problem on the bike and was consequently down in 42nd.

Jorgensen continued her remarkable winning streak in the women's race meanwhile, finishing in 55:45, winning by 20 seconds from team-mate Katie Zaferes.

She outsprinted Sarah True over the final 200m to ensure a US clean sweep of the podium position. 

Northern Ireland's Aileen Reid took fourth spot, while Britain's Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Vicky Holland, winner in Cape Town last month, was fifth.

There will now be a lengthy break until the next race on the World Series calendar, scheduled for Hamburg on July 18 and 19.

Related stories
May 2015: Jorgensen stretches World Triathlon Series winning streak to nine as Gómez pips Brownlee in sprint finish
April 2015: Alistair Brownlee marks return from ankle injury with World Triathlon Series win in Cape Town
April 2015: Holland returns from injury to take maiden World Triathlon Series victory
April 2015: Jorgensen and Brownlee storm to victories at World Triathlon Series in Gold Coast
March 2015: Jorgensen claims 10th World Triathlon Series win with victory in Auckland