NEW FORMAT HAS DEFENDING CHAMPIONS ON EDGE AHEAD OF SHAW AND PARTNERS IRON SERIES FINAL
The new ‘winner takes all’ finals format has Shaw and Partners Iron Series defending champions Ali Day and Lana Rogers on edge, as the country’s best prepare to battle the sun, sand and surf on the Gold Coast.
Points from previous rounds are wiped clear, with Sunday’s winner of the Grand Eliminator races to be crowned the 2025 Shaw and Partners Iron Series champions. The top 16 have pre-qualified through to Saturday’s round three, with only 12 spots up for grabs for Sunday’s final.
Five time Iron Series champion, Ali Day who has dominated the Series for the last decade, is known as mister consistency. But while he admits consistency will help in planning the race, anything can happen on the day.
“I’ve done this sport for a long time now and in the previous Series… the most consistent guy wins. Obviously that’s not the case [for the new format] and it’s going to be who’s most consistent in the very last race.
“I still believe in the consistency in the work that you do in the lead up in your training and preparation. There’s a lot of racing to get through Saturday just to make it to Sunday’s final. I’m still a big believer if you do the little things right you’ll be rewarded,” said Day.
New Zealand Ironman Champion Joe Collins is hoping this could be his year to topple Day and carve out his own slice of history to become the first Kiwi to win the Iron Series. Collins is trying not to focus too much on the new format for the finals and just trusting is preparation.
“It’s business as usual for me and making sure I’m keeping in the right head space and trying not to think about it [the eliminator racing] too much until you get to race day. Then it’s just focusing on what you need to do next for each race… not to focus too far ahead,” he said.
Next Gen star and former North Burleigh nipper Ethan Callaghan (18 years old), is likely to have one of the biggest fan bases on the beach, as he returns to his home beach as part of his Shaw and Partners Iron Series debut.
“I’m super stoked to get down here and race, I know this beach like the back of my hand. I grew up at this beach, following in my dad’s footsteps, he used to race in the Iron Series at this beach as well.”
Defending Ironwoman champion Lana Rogers, said despite the new look format, she has approached this season like she has in previous years.
“Coming into this new look Series I still wanted to keep it consistent and break it down to six rounds. I want to get to the end and be standing on the start line come Sunday.
“I’ve been focusing on each round, resetting after each race and I think that’s going to benefit me going into this weekend,” she said.
Coming into the finals in red hot form, Lizzie Welborn is hoping she can be the first New South Wales Ironwoman to win the Series trophy in more than decade.
“To bring that trophy back to New South Wales is something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time. It’s been at least 10 years since the Iron Series trophies have been back to New South Wales.
“It definitely is something that gives me that added motivation to want to win the Series. But that is hard to do so I’m trying not to think of it and take it one race at a time,” she said.
Gold Coast City Council Mayor Mayor Tom Tate, said: “There’s nothing more exciting than Iron Series racing on the Gold Coast.
“I’m thrilled to see the new series has upped the ante with an eliminator final as part of the two rounds of action at North Burleigh.
“It’s a dream come true for aspiring nippers and every clubbie to witness the best iron men and women in Australia, right here at North Burleigh. Bring it on.”
The final two stages of the Shaw and Partners Iron Series will be shown live on SBS and SBS OnDemand on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February, 12-2pm AEST each day.