THEIR fiercest rivals are from north of the border but these Sydney ironwoman think they might have a trick up their sleeve to freeze out the competition as they chase success in the opening round of the Ocean6 and Nutri-Grain series at Queenscliff.
It’s made early morning training more than a little unpleasant in recent months but Sydney’s cold water might play into the hands of local ironwoman Georgia Miller, Lizzie Welborn and Naomi Scott this weekend on Sydney’s northern beaches.
“It’s still chilly down here and it has been really cold in the water,” said Miller, 21, who finished fourth in last month’s Coolangatta Gold.
“Jumping in the water you get a brain freeze. In the Coolie Gold I was sweating in the swim so the Queenslanders might find it a little hard.”
While the Gold Coast has long been a hub for competitive ironwoman and ironman racing, the Sydney surf lifesaving trio are keen to show you don’t have to relocate north of the border to be competitive in the sport.
All three have opted to stay put with their Sydney clubs to race and train, a decision which last season saw all three win a race in the Nutri-Grain finale at Cronulla.
While Miller has a confirmed spot in Sunday’s Nutri-Grain racing courtesy of her top six finish in the last event, Scott and Welborn must qualify via the Ocean6 series racing on Saturday.
“There is a whole bunch of new women coming up so it is going to be tough racing,” Welborn, 18, said.
“It will be pretty nerve wracking but I love racing and I am getting better at keeping my nerves down.
“I also want to show that you don’t have to go to Queensland to do well.”
For Scott, 17, the weekend racing will be a time out from her Higher School Certificate exams.
The Nutri-Grain ironman and ironwoman competition is this season being run as a part of the integrated Ocean6 series.
The competition includes paddle board, ocean swim, surf ski, Taplin relay and beach flags events along with the Nutri-Grain ironman and ironwoman racing
Round One: Oct. 18-29: Queenscliff.
Round Two: Nov 18-19: Coolum
Round Three: Dec 16-17: North Wollongong
Round Four: Jan 12-14: Torquay & Fairhaven Beaches.
Round Five: Feb 3-4: Surfers Paradise.
Round Six: Feb 24-25: North Cronulla NSW