Striking Aussie seeks Ironman breakthrough

Melissa Hauschildt, who has won 47 professional triathlon victories around the world, is gearing up for another crown in this corner of the globe on Sunday when she heads the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Philippines at Shangri-La. The Mactan Resort and Spa at Lapu Lapu City

The Aussie winning streak has featured four tough races this year, the latest to date being the Ironman 70.3 European Championships in Denmark the month latest. The 35-year-old Adelaide native also led the Ironman to New Zealand in January and then dominated the Ironman 70.3 Texas and the Ironman Texas-North American Championships in April.

She hopes to score her first title here in the women's pro division of the 1.9km race, the 90km race and the 21.2km race.

"Although encouraging for the first time in the country, Hauschildt remains the favorite, three-time champion and three-time Asia-Pacific and European title-holder," said Princess Galura, chief executive of the United States. organization Sunrise Events, Inc.

"But with the depth of the field and given the difficult course, you do not know what's going on," added Galura, pointing to the Czech Radka Kahlefeldt, Caroline Steffen, Dimity Lee Duke and Beth McKenzie as pretenders contending for Hauschildt's victory at a first Filipino Ironman championship 70.3.

Kahlefeldt wins wins the Ironman 70.3 Subic last year and the first Ironman 70.3 at Davao City in March while Steffen is a four-time champion here Duke also won a number of titles in the Philippines while McKenzie is a former Titler of Ironman Australia

Tim Reed, as for i, will attempt to win a fourth consecutive record championship in the men's division.

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