The Shaw and Partners Iron Series has arrived in Miami, with the country’s top 16 ironmen and ironwomen descending on the Gold Coast for the grand finale this weekend.

Booking their spot after three big weekends of racing, the best of the best will line up at Miami from Saturday 31 January – Sunday 1 February to decide who will be crowned the 2025/26 Shaw and Partners Iron Series Champions.

Points from previous rounds don’t carry over, with competitors set to battle it out Saturday with only the top 12 going through to Sunday’s decider – where it all comes down to the final race.

It will be an historic weekend, marking the last professional race for five time Series champion Ali Day, who has announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2025/26 summer season. Having won the Coolangatta Gold 25.6, and one of the races in Newcastle in December, Day sits atop of the points ladder.

“It’s crazy to think that this will be the last weekend I’ll go out and race a professional race,” Day said.

“This feels like a real line in the sand, this is the reason I wanted to do the sport because of the Iron Series and I’ve been able to do it for the last 17 years.

“It’s been a hell of a journey… I wouldn’t change anything or any bits of my story. There’s been lots of different emotions this week but there’s a job I’ve obviously got to go to tomorrow, I’ve got to qualify my spot for Sunday.

“And I’ll wait until I get there but the plan for Sunday is just to come down here…I know I’m going to have a lot of support and go do my best on Sunday,” he said.

But alongside him, on equal points, is the rising star of the next generation – Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park surf lifesaver Ethan Callaghan, who just in his second season has stood on the podium three times, claiming his first round win in Maroubra earlier this month.

“I’ve had a pretty good race prep this week with Kingy (coach Michael King) – he’s been pretty good at getting me sorted so I’m pretty excited,” Callaghan said.

The story is much the same for the women – Lucy Derbyshire and Carla Papac sitting pretty on 114 points each, 17 points clear of their nearest competitor.

For defending champion Derbyshire, the opportunity to go back-to-back is one she isn’t shying away from.

“It would be absolutely amazing, it was a dream come true last year so to make it two years in a row I think would be a pinch myself moment.

“I’m hoping that I can do it, I’ve absolutely loved to be able to wear yellow this year and to wear the number one has been an absolute honour,” she said.

But hot on her heels will be Papac, who is eager to win her first crown.

“I’m feeling excited – this week or any race week you definitely feel all the feels…you feel anxious, you feel overwhelmed, then you feel excited, then you feel pumped,” Papac said.

“But I just spoke to Ali Day just then and he said my biggest advice is just to try and really enjoy these moments. So whatever Ali says, you have to follow religiously,” she said.

But with the points reset to zero – Miami could be anyone’s race.

The Shaw and Partners Iron Series Final will be broadcast live on Channel 10.