Melissa Hauschildt celebrates after winning the Australian 70.3 half ironman in West Australia. Photo: Delly Carr/IM Media Source: Supplied FORMER Commonwealth Games steeplechaser Mel Hauschildt has ended the year as Australia's top triathlete after yesterday adding a major Australian 70.3 half ironman victory to the two world crowns she snared earlier this season.
In only her third season in a sport she took up to avoid the crippling injuries which hindered her athletics career, Hauschilt yesterday completed her best ever season in triathlon with her ninth victory from 12 starts in 2013.
"It's been almost a faultless season and I couldn't be more delighted,'' said the 30-year-old after her win in the Mandurah 70.3 championships, which doubles as the unofficial Australia championships for the distance
"To win two world titles and an Aussie one, you just couldn't ask for more than that.''
Hauschilt, who yesterday beat former Olympic distance world No. 1 Annabel Luxford in the 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run, is one of only two Australian triathletes to have won a senior world triathlon crown this year.
The Brisbane-based triathlete won both the world 70.3 title and the ITU long distance crown while fellow Queenslander Mirinda Carfrae won the Hawaii ironman world championships in Kona last month for the second time.
Hauschilt said she has found her home in triathlon _ a sport which better suits her once fragile body.
"I had a lost of stress fractures when I was running,'' said Hauschilt ,who prepared for yesterday's race with a third place at the Noosa Triathlon last Sunday.
"Now I spend a lot more time on the bike and less on the running and that is paying of for me on the injury front.''
Hauschildt covered the course in 4hrs 03min 45 sec with New Zealander Terenzo Bozzane winning the men's crown in the Western Australian race.
Bozzane finished in 3:42.58 with Australians Tim Berkel (3:44.30) and Sam Appleton (3:45.01) filling the minor placings.
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