To 2009 in fact, when she raced in her first-ever Ironman 70.3 event as age grouper, while working in Australia on a contract with Shell Oil.

In the past decade, Siddall has travelled the globe as one of the world's best Ironman competitors but her affinity with Australia and the Mid North Coast of New South Wales is as strong as ever.

"Having raced for the past couple of years and been fortunate enough to take the wins, it is important for me to return again to support this race," she said.

"I'm incredibly grateful for those wins and experiences. Port Macquarie is special to me and has given me so many amazing opportunities.

"It is a race that is always full to the brim of friends and familiar faces racing, supporting, and being around the town all week.

"The community and race vibe is one of the best with amazing local support.

"For me, there is the connection back to where I began the sport and that means seeing so many friends and faces out there on course, or on the sidelines that supported me from the very start as a beginner.

"It is also a really tough and honest course, but the support out there makes for an incredible atmosphere."

After a very solid year in 2018 with a win at Ironman New Zealand, returning to Ironman Australia to go back-to-back and capping of a season of European podiums taking out the ETU European Long Course Championship in Madrid, she is keen to keep the momentum up in 2019.

Returning to Ironman New Zealand as defending champ Laura was disappointed she wasn't able to convert her training into the race day performance she would have liked but she is determined to bring her A game to Port Macquarie in the face of some very tough opposition.

"In Port Macquarie I will just focus on myself and what I can do and what I can control," she said.

"Caroline Steffen is a world-class athlete, you just need to look at her resume of results, and her performances in Kona over the years, to recognise that she's one of the very best.

"I have raced Caroline many years ago over a 70.3, in one of my first years as a pro, however I think I'm a very different athlete now."

To make it three wins on the trot in Port Macquarie, Laura joked it was a matter of executing a simple plan.

"I need to swim faster, bike faster and stronger, run faster," she laughed.

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