Sophia Saller and Justus Nieschlag claimed an impressive double for the German Triathlon Federation as they stormed to gold in the first ETU Sprint European Cup of the season in Bratislava.

Both victories were extra special for the athletes, as each recorded the first European Cup win of their careers.

Saller’s previous best was a 6th place finish at the ETU Sprint European Cup in Holten last year but she ended 2013 on a high with a 10th place finish at the ITU Grand Final in London as a Junior athlete.

In Bratislava, she had to be at her best to beat Cassandra Beaugrand (FRA) who was on the hunt for her second European Cup win of 2014 but eventually had to settle for second.

In a day of firsts, Gaia Peron (ITA) will be delighted to finally break her duck and record her first European Cup podium finish with 3rd place.

In the Elite Men’s race, 2011 Junior European Champion Nieschlag has waited a long time to make his mark on the European Cup circuit as an Elite athlete.

His opportunity came today as he matched Richard Varga (SVK) stride for stride before eventually pipping the home favourite to take gold.

Varga finished in second place and Matthias Steinwandter (ITA) completed the podium.