Kiwi Ironman Joe Collins and former Northern Beaches Ironwoman Georgia Miller, have delivered impressive wins at Manly beach today to take out round two of the Nutri-Grain Ironman & Ironwoman Series.
Collins went one better today to put himself on equal points at the top of the ladder with former Series Champion Ali Day. After only two rounds, Day and Collins have set up a strong 20 point lead ahead of the pack, with four rounds still to come.
The New Zealander knew today’s win was going to be a hard task, with nothing separating the top field and the cut throat Survival format favouring those with consistency.
“It was brutal from the get go…I knew there were 20 really unbelievable ironmen in there and no one’s got a weakness. It’s a changing sport, everyone is evolving and it makes it hard no matter what.
“I love a third leg ski, and I knew I had to get going fast. One little wave clipped Ali on the way out and that was when I made my break. I knew I had to go and I was chasing the runner all the way to the beach.
“It’s going to be a big season and I’m definitely ready for it,” said Collins.
Collins managed to milk a runner on the way home and edge out round one winner Ali Day, with defending Series champion Matt Bevilacqua rounding out the podium.
Since making his move to the Gold Coast, Collins has been a star on the rise and is joined by good company with his fellow New Zealanders.
“I’ve talked to Max Beattie, Cory Taylor, DMac (Danielle Richards) and Liv (Olivia Corrin), we all just want to foster the sport and nurture all the young kids in New Zealand.
“To be able to do that is awesome and I hope that kids in New Zealand look up to me and want to come over here, chase their dreams and do their best,” he said.
Miller bounced back to deliver an emphatic round two win of the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series at Manly beach today.
Growing up on the Northern Beaches, Miller considers this her hometown and knows this beach very well.
After a disappointing opening round yesterday that saw her finish in ninth place, the defending champion is hoping today’s win will give her much needed Series points as she looks to claim her third Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series crown.
The first two races saw the field cut down from 20 to 14 to 8. The last race went down to the wire with the final ski leg seeing Miller and club mate Lana Rogers going stroke for stroke. Miller managed to jag a small runner and ride it to the shore with a better angle to the finish line.
“It was incredible today. You just never know how you’re going to go when you turn up to the beach in the morning.
“Yesterday was not ideal, I’m not going to hide from that… so I had a point to prove today. I’ll walk off the beach today a very happy girl and ready for the festive season.
“I felt shocking yesterday and there is nothing you can do but grind out the race and reset after it. So I did that and did a lot of recovery yesterday afternoon.
“I grew up on the Northern Beaches at Freshwater, I actually raced for Manly Surf Life Saving Club and I went to school in Queenscliff – so this is my home town and I absolutely love it down here,” she said.
Round 1 winner Rogers finished in second place, with Lucy Derbyshire again on the podium today finishing third place.
The Nutri-Grain Ironman & Ironwoman Series will return in the New Year, with rounds three and four to be held at Maroubra beach, Sydney from 13-14 January, live on SBS and Sky Sport NZ.