Dane Sutton (Wanda SLSC) and Olivia Clues (Newport SLSC) have booked their tickets for the 2026/27 Iron Series, with impressive performances at the Next Gen event helping them see off a host of young, aspiring athletes from across the country.
It’s the second year in a row that Olivia has earned a place on the Shaw and Partners Iron Series starting line via the Next Gen platform, while Dane will gear up for his first season on the professional tour. Both were NSW Interstate Team Captains in 2026.
Three days of racing saw athletes accumulate points across the Enduro, Specialist and Eliminator formats, with competition going right down to the wire in the female draw.
Isabella Tate (Cudgen Headland SLSC), Kaitlin Rees (Swansea Belmont SLSC), and Tully Elliott (Redhead SLSC) were all in with a genuine chance on the final day, with a matter of points separating them, and when the lights shone brightest it was Olivia who emerged from the Eliminator in first place.
The points would draw her level with Issy Tate, herself the day two round winner, and push her two ahead of Kaity, the day one round winner, before a countback would ensure the Newport athlete would don the red rashie next season.
For his part, Dane was the most consistent performer on the male side of the draw and despite entering the final day a point off top spot, his first-place finish in the Eliminator, combined with a drop off from many of those jostling for the top places, saw him finish well ahead of his fellow competitors.
It was the highlight of a weekend in which Charlie Verco, Jackson Borg (both Newport), Dan Collins (Redhead), Lizzie Welborn and Piper Harrison (both Newport) confirmed they would also line up for round one of the 2026/27 Series – the former, Charlie, capping off a fine first season by finishing second overall.
Athletes that secured a top 12 finish were guaranteed their place in the next Series, with Charlie proving the best of them with an impressive final Iron bringing him up the beach and across the line in second place.
Ali Day, a Warilla Barrack Point SLSC junior, completed a fairytale finish to his competitive career as the 2025/26 Male Champion, his sixth Iron Series victory.
Monday 2 February 2026