Seven NSW athletes have progressed to the next rounds of the new-look Iron Series after a gruelling weekend at Wanda beach saw the field of 56 athletes whittled down to 44.
Redhead SLSC’s Dan Collins and the Newport SLSC sextet of Conner Maggs, Jackson Borg, Lizzie Welborn, Analise Kibble, Jemma Smith, and Pipi Te Pania all earned their spots on the starting line in Newcastle in the new year through a gruelling weekend that saw athletes tackle an Enduro Iron on Saturday and an Eliminator on the Sunday.
Conner and Lizzie, in particular, stood out from the pack and looked extremely competitive in both formats, leveraging strong Board legs to consistently be in and amongst the leaders.
Entering the Newcastle weekend, set down for 11-12 January, Conner currently sits in fourth place while Lizzie is in a tie for second and within touching distance of series leader and reigning champion, Lana Rogers.
On the Male side of the draw, Conner, Jackson and Dan all consistently placed inside the top 10 of each race they contested – the latter two well within striking distance in seventh and ninth.
Meanwhile, in her first time competing in the series and at just 17 years of age, Pipi Te Pania will be proud to have progressed to the next stage and clubmates, Analise Kibble and Jemma Smith are tied just outside of the top 10.
Unfortunately, debutant Olivia Clues and Piper Harrison – both of Newport – were eliminated, while series stalwart and Manly LSC legend, Kendrick Louis pulled up injured during the Enduro format on Saturday and was unable to recover in time to compete for his place on Sunday, seeing him exit the Series early as well.
Thursday 19 December 2024