Ide won by almost a minute at the American venue in Florida as she coasted to a first victory on the circuit since 2011.

It came in unusual circumstances, however, with the swim leg of the triathlon cancelled due to green algae in the water, a result of Hurricane Irma. 

This resulted in a run-bike-run format, beginning with a five kilometre circuit of Nathan Benderson Park.

American home hope Chelsea Sodaro led at the first transition but was caught by the chasing pack on the first lap of the 40km cycle.

A group of ten leaders formed on the second lap and the lead created ensured that the medallists would come from within it.

Sodaro tried to pull away again on the second run, which covered 10km, but Ide went with her before breaking away on the second lap.

The Japanese finished to win in 2 hours 4min 21sec with Sedaro taking home silver in 2:05.18.

Austria's Julua Hauser won bronze in 2:05.31.

"Today was a very, very hot and very, very hard day, but I got my gold medal so I am very happy," said Ide.

"I have been hurt many times. 

"This year I broke my finger in Gold Coast and was in a bike accident in Hamburg.

"However, I still love triathlon. 

"I realised it is important to practice without giving up, so from now on I will try to do my best in the sport. 

"With the incident that happened in Las Vegas, the earthquake in Mexico and the hurricane damage in the US, thank you for organising the race through all the serious and terrible problems."

The men's elite race will be held tomorrow following Para-competitions.