2019 Nutri-Grain Ironwoman champion Georgia Miller staged an epic comeback in the third round of the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series to topple current series leader Lana Rogers.
In the final race of the day, nothing separated the two Ironwomen who were well in front of the back pack, with Miller catching a small wave in the final board leg to get over the top of Rogers and take her first win of the series.
It was the boost Miller and the rest of the Ironwoman field needed, with Rogers dominating the opening two rounds and looking unstoppable.
But Miller’s consistency in all three legs and picking a slightly different line on the way back to shore proved all the difference in today’s race.
“I’m stoked, I’m pretty proud to comeback from not a great start (to the series) for me. I do put a lot of pressure on myself and have big expectations after a few years of good results.
“An eighth (in round one) isn’t too bad in the scheme of things but I’ll just have to pull out all stops and go hard in the finals three rounds to try and finish on top.
“I used a little bit of a different tactic this time, I tried to let the others do a bit of the work as I normally love to lead. I hung back this time, and really tried to make my move in the swim leg and put myself in a good position.
“That really worked in the last race. The way in on the last board (with Lana) was intense, I was on my knees, the wind was howling in my face… I could hear my coach in my head saying ‘don’t lay down stay on your knees and keep working’.
“It really paid off, I didn’t want a sprint finish. It’s really hard up that hill so that was good,” she said.
Sydney Ironwoman Lizzie Wellborn’s solid form saw her finish on the podium in third place, to go alongside her second and fourth place finishes.
The Nutri-Grain Ironman & Ironwoman Series will return from 26-28 February for rounds four – six which will also feature the final on Sunday 28 February.
Catch up on all the action from this weekend on 9NOW – click here.
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For the full results and current series leader board- click here.