THERE is just something about Ironman Australia in Port Macquarie for British superstar Laura Siddall.
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Siddall (9:11:58) registered her third-straight event success with a five-and-a-half minute victory over a gallant Caroline Steffen (9:17:28) on Sunday.
American Kelsey Withrow (9:19:11) rounded out the top three.
Straight after the race, Siddall remained non-committal about whether she would return for a four-peat next year.
"To win three times is just ridiculous and an amazing feeling," she said.
"To see the names up on the board and the legends that have raced here and won before twice and three times and then know my name is up there is pretty special."
After a slow start, Siddall made her move towards the back end of the bike leg to take the lead before Steffen found another gear in the early part of the run.
"I managed to get a break on her going up the hill at the end of the first lap," Siddall said.
"I never really looked back - although I was panicking a lot thinking she was going to come back at me.
"Kelsey was running well and I could see that it was just eyes forward and keep going.
"I felt pretty good on the third lap, and thankfully brought it home.
"Will I be back? I don't know, it gets harder and harder doesn't it?
"I'd love to be back, but we'll see what happens."
Port Macquarie is a special location for Siddall as it is one she completed her first half-distance race in.
But will she be back?
"Three times ... I'm pretty stoked with that," she said.
"So many people have come up from Sydney who have known me from the very start as a rookie with my trainers on and my hybrid mountain bike back in Bondi so in that respect it's really special.
"The support out there I was just blown away; running next to Caroline - she's local and we were both getting so much support.
"I hope to be back."
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