Swansea Belmont’s Bella Williams has been announced as the replacement athlete for Georgia Miller in the opening rounds of the Nutri-Grain IronWoman Series this weekend.
Miller was yesterday ruled out of the opening rounds following medical advice, having recently recovered from influenza and COVID-19.
Williams will join the 20 strong lineup this weekend at the iconic North Bondi Beach for the first three rounds of the Series.
The 18-year-old was next in line for a call up following her performance and result in the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman trial at Tugun in December last year.
“It’s been a dream of mine to race in the Ironwoman Series since I was in under 8s and it’s taken so much hard work to get to where I am,” Williams said.
“When I got the call I was so excited, I was actually a bit speechless really.
“Having had a few carnivals recently has really boosted my confidence and I’m so ready to race this weekend.
“I’m young, I’m fresh and I’ve just come out of my HSC and back into full time training, so I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity,” she said.
Having raced in last year’s Nutri-Grain Next Gen Series, Williams is excited to be racing against women she’s grown up looking up to.
“I’m so excited to race against the elite girls, but especially Courtney Hancock, I really look up to her,” Williams said.
“I wear pink ribbons in every race because of her, and when she put her foot on the line next to me in the trial I was a bit overwhelmed.
“To be able to say that I’ve not only raced her in the trial, but to race her in the actual Series this weekend is so incredible.
“I’m still trying to process it, but I think it will really sink in when I pull on those togs on Friday,” she said.
The Nutri-Grain IronMan & IronWoman Series gets underway this week at North Bondi, 14-16 January 2022, live on Channel 9GO! from 12-2PM AEDT on Friday 14 and Sunday 16, and from 11AM-2PM AEDT on Saturday 15 January.
New Zealanders can watch the Nutri-Grain IronMan & IronWoman Series live on Sky Sports from 2-4PM NZDT on Friday 14 and Sunday 16, and from 1PM-4PM NZDT on Saturday 15 January.