Beijing Olympians Emma Moffatt and Erin Densham enjoyed improved performances at the World Championship Triathlon Series on Sunday, finishing fourth and eighth respectively behind untouchable Canadian Paula Findlay at Kitzbuhel.

Moffatt finished 39 seconds off the pace but it was the first time this year she had threatened the podium after a pair of 13th placings in the opening two rounds in Sydney and Madrid.

Densham, who has battled health and illness over the past 18 months, produced her best Olympic distance race for some time, hanging on well over the closing stages of the run.

Moffatt tried to stay in touch with the leaders who broke away from the four-time world championship race winner with three kilometres to run.

Findlay claimed a record-equalling third straight World Series win this season with a time of 2hr 5min 52sec, beating Briton Helen Jenkins by four seconds, with American Sarah Groff producing her first ever podium finish.

The efforts of the Australian women, and the Saturday performances of Brad Kahlefeldt (fifth) and Jamie Huggett (22nd) in the men's race, gave the squad a huge boost as they head back to their French training camp to prepare for the Hamburg (July 16 and 17) and London (August 6 and 7) races and Olympic selection.

Coach Shaun Stephens was relieved with their improvement.

"We all sat down as a group after the disappointments in Madrid and there were a lot of sorry faces that's for sure," said Stephens.

"They all agreed they had to make some changes and they knew they couldn't rely on their past performances in the swim, they had to start with more aggression and most of them were able to do that.

"We always targeted Hamburg and London and we are looking forward now to getting a solid block of training in over the next month.

"Moffy is threatening again and she knows what she has to do to match it with those leading girls and it was great to see the old Erin back, she has certainly been through her ups and downs."

AAP