On a day that saw two Europeans become IRONMAN^® World Champions for the second time, it was three time world champion Mirinda Carfrae who salvaged something for Australia.

Germany’s Jan Frodeno and Switzerland's Daniela Ryf produced dominant performances to claim back to back IRONMAN® World Championship titles at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii today.

But it was Carfrae who kept Australia's 12-year streak of podium finishes, which is unbroken since 2004, alive.

The Aussie podium streak looked in danger after three-time champion Carfrae finished the 180km bike leg in 13th position, over 22 minutes behind Ryf, and 14 minutes behind Germany’s Anja Beranek, who was in second place.

In stepped the tough Aussie, the Queenslander producing a stunning run making her way from 13th to second.

“I was just trying to put together a solid marathon after such a rough bike, it was far from my perfect day. Honestly Daniela was in a league of her own today, so I’ll take second,” Carfrae said.

“It’s incredible the support we receive from the crowd, to hear so many people cheer and yell your name, I hear those cheers every step of the way and it’s appreciated.”

After exiting the water 3:58  behind a large in a group including most of the contenders, Carfrae continued to lose time on the bike but relied on 2:58.20 run leg to storm onto the podium.

In the men’s race, Frodeno took his second world title, with Sebastian Kienle and Patrick Lange making it a German clean sweep.

American Heather Jackson rounded out the women’s podium.

Full Race Results available here: http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/coverage/athlete-tracker.aspx?race=worldchampionship&y=2016#axzz4MWvemF1X