Hawaii ironman world champion Craig Alexander flies high as Mel Hauschildt continues comeback

AUSTRALIAS most successful ironman world champion Craig Alexander has turned back the clock as Mel Hauschildt continues her comeback in style.

Ironman 70.3

AUSTRALIAS most successful ironman world champion Craig Alexander has turned back the clock to win at age 42 a long distance race on the NSW south coast he last contested six years ago as Mel Hauschildt continued her comeback from injury in style on Sunday.

Triple Hawaii ironman world champion Crowe won the Huskisson long course triathlon from fellow former world ironman champion Pete Jacobs with two-time Olympic triathlete Brad Kahlefeldt third.

Two-time world 70.3 champion Mel Hauschildt continued her return from an injury-plagued 2015 to notch her second victory in two weeks at the low-key race contested by some of the biggest names in the sport.

“I wound the clock back a little,’’ Alexander admitted after he took the lead in the final leg of the race involving a 2km swim, 90km cycle and 20km run.

“I haven't competed here since 2010 and that’s when I last won it so this is really nice.

Craig Alexander at the end of the 2012 Hawaii Ironman World Championship.

“I keep thinking I’m the same athlete I used to be, not someone not that far away from turning 43.’’

Alexander admitted he had surprised himself with his form in the annual race with the victory major encouragement ahead of his bid to win a 70.3 half ironman in the Philippines in two weeks.

Hauschildt produced a dominating performance in the women’s event to finish almost five minutes ahead of her nearest rival, Radka Vodickova from the Czech Republic.

Dual triathlon world champ Mel Hauschildt on the comeback trail after a drama-plagued 2015.

“It was good. My running still isn’t there but it was just nice to be back out there again,’’ she said.

Hauschildt, who spent much of 2105 on the sidelines, two weeks ago won the 70.3 half ironman in Geelong with her major goal in 2016 to race her first Hawaii ironman world title in October.