Reigning champions and local talent will return to Newcastle this weekend for the second round of the Shaw and Partners Iron Series.
The Series will return to Newcastle Beach for the first time in more than 10 years, bringing together surf sport’s toughest competitors.
Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge is excited to welcome the event back to the region in what is sure to be a fantastic January weekend of competition.
“City of Newcastle is proud to support the return of this iconic event to our beaches for the first time in a decade,” Cr Kerridge said.
“Newcastle is known for its spectacular coastline and its passionate surf lifesaving community, including our own City of Newcastle lifeguard, Dan Collins, who was crowned the Australian Open Ironman Champion last year.
“Newcastle is striving to be a destination of choice for all visitors, promoting safe and healthy communities.”
Australian Ironman champion and Redhead lifesaver Daniel Collins will be among the athletes set to line up this weekend.
“It’s really exciting to be racing here at home. This is the first time I’ve professionally raced here in Newcastle and I’m really looking forward to it.
“It’s nice to reflect on the journey so far and 10 years ago, the last time the Series was in Newcastle, I was coming to the tail end of my junior career and trying to work out if I wanted to stick with Ironman racing… and I’m sure glad I did because I’ve had so many awesome opportunities along the way.”
Cooks Hill nipper Bella Williams (Northcliffe) will return to her home stretch of beach, along with her cousin, Swansea Belmont nipper Kye Taylor (Surfers Paradise).
“It’s going to be absolutely awesome. The excitement to race in front my home crowd, the atmosphere is going to be electric and I know Newcastle will also put on a good show.
“10 years ago I was a 10 years old nipper, watching Shannon Eckstein, Courtney Hancock, Liz Pluimers, all the big names within our sport run around and I was just so inspired by all of the Ironmen and Ironwomen and I knew then that was something I wanted to achieve when I was older. I kept going and I finally achieved my dream to be in the Series… but my ultimate dream is to race here on my home beach.”
After dominating the opening round at Wanda in December 2024, reigning champions Ali Day and Lana Rogers will be looking to continue their winning form.
Rogers commented: “The nerves are pumping, I’m really excited. I think it gave me a little confidence boost after weekend one.
“Last season was such a dream run for me. It’s been about [this season] getting back into the flow and I was really really happy with the first weekend of racing for me. Looking forward to doing it all again,” she said.
Round 2 of the Shaw and Partners Iron Series will be held at Newcastle Beach on 11-12 January 2025, with racing from 1-3pm AEDT each day. Tune in live on SBS (Saturday) and VICELAND (Sunday) SBS OnDemand.
Athletes will test themselves in the Super Sprint format on Saturday, before racing The Eliminator on Sunday. The bottom six ironmen and six ironwomen will be eliminated at the end of the weekend, with the final rounds of the Shaw and Partners Iron Series to be held at North Burleigh in February 2025.