Streaking Aussie seeks Ironman breakthrough

Melissa Hauschildt, who has racked up 47 pro triathlon wins around the world, sets out for another crown in this side of the globe on Sunday when she headlines Ironman 70.3 Philippines Asia-Pacific at Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu Lapu City.

The Aussie ace’s streak of victories actually included four tough races this year, the latest of which was the Ironman 70.3 European Championships in Denmark last month. The 35-year-old Adelaide native also ruled the Port of Tauranga half Ironman in New Zealand in January then dominated the Ironman 70.3 Texas race and the full Ironman Texas-North American Championships in April.

She hopes to score her first title here in the women’s pro division of the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-km bike and 21.2-km run event.

“Though racing for the first time in the country, Hauschildt remains the top favorite, being a three-time world champ and three-time Asia-Pacific and European titlist,” said Princess Galura, general manager of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc.

“But with depth of the field and given the challenging course, you don’t know what’s going to happen,” added Galura, pointing to the likes of Czech Radka Kahlefeldt, Caroline Steffen, Dimity Lee Duke and Beth McKenzie as the likely contenders to foil Hauschildt’s drive for a first Ironman 70.3 Philippine championship.

Kahlefeldt is coming off victories in the Ironman 70.3 Subic last year and the first Ironman 70.3 in Davao City in March while Steffen is a four-time champion here. Duke has also won a number of titles in the Philippines while McKenzie is a former Ironman Australia titlist.

Tim Reed, meanwhile, will shoot for a record fourth straight championship in the men’s division.