Top triathlete out to defend course record

COURSE record holder Melissa Hauschildt has another Ironman 70.3 Geelong title at her mercy.

The three-time world champion triathlete returns to Geelong with her 2016 course record still intact, having bounced back from injury into insatiable form.

Hauschildt, 34, has claimed the Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championships, Ironman Western Australia and the Port of Tauranga Half, New Zealand, in the last two months, filling her with confidence in her own body.

The hat-trick of wins comes off the back of a tumultuous injury stint, which saw the Queenslander undergo numerous surgeries on her veins and arteries.

“It was a pretty rough last year,” Hauschildt told the Geelong Advertiser.

“I spent a lot of time in hospitals, getting surgery and stuff. I did the three world championships, but I wasn’t in good shape then, so I only really came into form in November. I had a couple of wins at the end of the year to make it a half decent year.”

Neither defending champion Annabel Luxford nor perennial top-five finisher Sarah Crowley are competing at the February 18 event, leaving Hauschildt the clear favourite.

“With her (Luxford) out, I won it the year before so I guess I’ll have a target on my back,” she quipped.

“I did look at the start list briefly and I did see a few names missing. Hopefully it does get a bit stronger before race day; it’s always good to race a really good field to get the best out of yourself.

“I’ve done it a few times now and it’s always a good race at the start of the Aussie season.

“It’s a nice place to go and I’ve got a few friends that live in Geelong, so I always like to get down for that and see them as well.”

Following Geelong, Hauschildt will head overseas as she eyes another attempt at the three world championship events later in the year.

“It would be good to get another win under the belt (at Geelong), get the confidence up and get back on top,” she said.