Two punctures didn't stop Steffen

IT seemed like Caroline Steffen was destined to never win an ironman triathlon race.

Caroline Steffen wins the Australian Ironman in Port Macquarie. Picture: Delly Carrsportshoot

IT seemed like Caroline Steffen was destined to never win an ironman triathlon race.

After three attempts at the gruelling 226km torture test at locations around the globe, the Mooloolaba-based Swiss had finished second each time.

So it could be understood why she was a little apprehensive when she suffered a second tyre puncture in Sunday’s Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie in New South Wales.

“I had two punctures, which has never happened before,” Steffen said yesterday, after celebrating her breakthrough victory.

“The first puncture I fixed with a repair kit, pumped it up and kept going.

“After another 20 or 30km I got another one and the hole was too big to repair. I had a spare tyre with me, so I used it.

“I’d never changed a spare before, so I was very careful if it was on right or not. When I went around the first corner I was a bit careful to make sure the tyre didn’t fall off.

“I thought, if I have a third one I’m out of the race. Lucky I had a bit of a gap to the other girls. I lost probably at least 10 minutes, maybe a bit more.”

Her tyres lasted for the rest of the 180km cycle and she beat the field home in the marathon (42.2km) run to claim a maiden ironman title in a time of 9hrs 29mins and 54secs.

Steffen, whose partner is elite Sunshine Coast triathlete Dave Dellow, had finished second in ironman races in South Africa, Germany and last year’s World Championships in Hawaii, before winning the Olympic distance Noosa Triathlon in November.

She heads to Europe next week to embark on a number of ironman and half-ironman races in Germany, France and Switzerland, her home country.

While she has her eyes set on going one better in Hawaii this year, Steffen, 32, said it wouldn’t be the end of the world if she didn’t win it.

“My goal is to win Hawaii but that’s the goal of everyone who does ironman,” she said.

“I was very pleased with getting second last year and I’m doing everything to get one step up.

“One better is a big step I reckon but it’s not about ranking. It’s more about having the perfect race. I won’t be disappointed with second or third – it’s just another step forward.”

Originally published as Two punctures didn't stop Steffen