Jake Birtwhistle wins inaugural Greens Beach triathlon

In his first race for more than a year, Launceston's 26-year-old began his Tokyo Olympic preparations with a commanding performance.

"It was good," he said. "It was a great day out there for it, perfect conditions and great to see so many people out there on the course.

"It was always going to be a tough day for me just with where I am with my training. I'm about three months away from my key races for the year.

"It's a perfect spot for a triathlon so it's strange to think that it's taken this long to have the first event here but it's great to see the team put it on and so many people come out to support it."

Birtwhistle led from start to finish posting the fastest swim and run times as Launceston's former rowing world champion Blair Tunevitsch won a sprint finish for second.

Fourteen-year-old Rachel Horsham won the women's race.

A field of 120 entrants competed over the sprint distance of a 750-metre swim, a 20km bike ride followed by a 5km run.

Organiser Will Blackaby was hopeful of making the event annual.