Streaking Aussie seeks Ironman 70.3 breakthru

MANILA, Philippines — Melissa Hauschildt, who has racked up 47 pro triathlon wins around the world, sets out for another crown in this side of the globe Sunday when she headlines the star-studded Ironman 70.3 Philippines Asia-Pacific at the 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 being 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 last April, virtually making her the triathlete to beat in the women’s pro division of the exacting 1.9km swim-90km bike-21.2km 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., which is also celebrating its decade-long staging of triathlon events in the Phl.

“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 Phl championship in the event put up by title sponsor Aguila Energy Drink and Regent Food Corp.

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