The 32-year-old from  Bulach, who won the London 2012 title on a photo-finish from Sweden's Lisa Norden, was one of only 21 finishers in a field of 38, and admitted afterwards the cold conditions had forced her to work harder on the bike and run sections of what was a wet-suit race.

"It was a great race for me," Spirig said after finishing 16 seconds clear of Germany's newcomer Sophia Saller, competing in her first Olympic distance race, who took 12 seconds longer than her to exit the second transition.

"I had a good swim and was happy to catch the lead girls in the second lap on the bike.

"I worked hard on the bike today.

"It was a bit ironic.

"I was happy to catch up, but then it got so cold that I couldn't sit back.

"I was so cold and still had to work to try to keep warm.

"That made it hard and gave me cramps at the end.

"Therefore I decided to run as fast as I can.

"It's amazing to finish here as the European champion.

"I had a stitch in the third run lap and it was a pretty bad one.

"But I managed to get it under control. I needed to, because the distance with Saller was always the same.

"Only in the last 500 metres I started to relax, knowing that the gap was big enough.

"I am so happy with my fourth European title.

"Will I be back for a fifth one?

"I don't know.

"Let's see what happens.

"It's not easy being a mother now, but my son and my family mean so much to me."

Switzerland's Nicola Spirig (centre) celebrates her fourth European triathlon title alongside silver medallist Sophia Saller of Germany (left) and bronze medallist Annamaria Mazzetti of Italy ©European Triathlon Union

Annamaria Mazzetti of Italy finished 34 seconds behind the Swiss to earn her second European bronze medal.

Rachel Klamer of The Netherlands, who won the European title in Spirig's absence last year, was among five competitors to break away in the second swim lap, the others being Sara Vilic of Austria, Alice Betto and Charlotte Bonin of Italy and Margit Vanek of Hungary.

But the Dutch athlete - who eventually finished sixth - lost too much time in transition when mounting the bike and had to let the others go. Vilic also dropped off, leaving three in the lead.

Spirig was in the chase pack of nine, working hard with Lisa Perterer of Austria in the pouring rain to close the gap.

The chasing pack was eventually reduced to five due to the cold weather but managed to narrow the gap by the end of the cycling.

One by one, athletes were dropping out of the race to seek the warmth of the medical tent.

Spirig tried to break away immediately in the run, making the decisive move even though she suffered from cramps and a stitch going into the last lap.

She could not afford to slow down with Saller so close behind, but she managed to maintain her form to the line.

Saller was delighted with her silver.

"I was in tears when I crossed the line," she said.

"This was my first Olympic distance race on this level, so I did not know what to expect, how much to eat and drink.

"And of course I got cold on the bike.

"I was happy that the other girls were really careful in the turns, because at times it was dangerous. Due to the rain at a certain point my brakes were not working properly.

"I was glad when the bike was over and I could start the run.

"In better weather conditions it could have been a different run, but I never believed I could overtake Spirig.

"She's such a strong athlete."

Mazzetti commented: "Coming in fourth and just missing the podium last time was pretty hard, so I am really satisfied to be back on the podium. It was not easy for me coming here after a few bad races.

"But the European championships have always been good to me.

"It was so hard and so cold and was just trying to keep myself warm."

The European junior title went to Germany's Laura Lindemann, who accelerated over the final kilometre to finish five seconds clear of Audrey Merle of France, whose compatriot Cassandre Beaugrand finished ten seconds behind her to take bronze.

"The French girls were pretty strong on the run and therefore I decided to make it a very long sprint," Lindemann said.

""I am so happy to win here.

"It was pretty hard out there, but generally the whole race went according to plan.

"I had a great swim and we worked hard in front of the lead pack."

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