The king isn't exactly dead but Craig Walton did hail a new Noosa monarch on Sunday and predicted his successor, Courtney Atkinson, would go on to win the London Olympic triathlon in 2012.

An anxious Atkinson put a horror end to this year's world series behind him by becoming the first man to emulate comeback hero Walton's efforts of three straight Noosa Triathlon titles.

Despite fading badly in last month's ITU grand final race in Hungary, the 31-year-old looked as fresh as a daisy. He dominated the final run leg and celebrated in style, comfortably beating home New Zealander Kris Gemmell.

He'd followed fellow Gold Coaster Walton, who eventually finished 12th, and NSW's Paul Matthews by 30 seconds out of the final transition but swiftly took control of the 10km.

Walton's return after a three-year retirement, when he focussed on coaching former fiancee and Olympic champion Emma Snowsill, had added to Aktinson's pre-race worries but was overjoyed to match the six-time winner's 2002-04 hat-trick.

"It's special now," he said after the one hour 46 minute and 54 second victory.

"There was probably more anxiety today than in the previous two years because of the competitors I had to race against.

"This was actually difficult for me because since Craig's retired, at times, he's helped me and I'd call him a bit of a mentor who has pointed me back in the right direction."

Before the race Atkinson admitted he'd been a lazy trainer and Walton revealed he had no doubts that had robbed the Beijing Olympian of more success on the international circuit, and had told him as much.

"Courtney is the most talented athlete in the world and he just hasn't reached his potential and I'm the first to tell him that," Walton said.

"By far he's the best athlete in the world, the most talented, and if he just does the right training I've got no hesitation in saying he's going to be our next gold medallist in London, he's just got to get it together."

For Walton, who virtually owned Noosa earlier this decade, his 12th-place finish was a bitter-sweet experience.

A back niggle, recent flu and a middle-ear infection hampered the 34-year-old who did produce a stirring start to the race to lead out in the swim, but not enough to his satisfaction.

"I didn't feel good from the get go. Nothing felt right out there today, it was all hard work.

"But I don't want to make excuses ... Courtney has won three in a row now and I'm really happy for him and he's taking over Noosa now."

Just three weeks after she was beaten by Australian Mirinda Carfrae for the Hawaii ironman crown, Swiss triathlete Caroline Steffen spoilt the day for the locals in the women's race, beating recently crowned world junior champion Ashleigh Gentle.

Defending champion Emma Jackson, who finished fourth, admitted she was too fatigued from 12 straight months of racing, including winning the world under-23 crown in September.

Australian steeplechase champion Melissa Rollison, who is attempting to switch from the track to triathlon, finished fifth.

Jim Morton
AAP