ALLIE OUT FOR GOLD
ONE of Tasmania’s best surf sport athletes is a big chance for a history making win in this weekend’s Collangatta Gold surf classic.
Allie Britton will be hoping to go one better after finishing just 26 seconds shy of victory in last year’s event to become the first Tasmanian to claim gold in either the women’s or men’s elite long course event.
With 2016 and 2017 winner Courtney Hancock not defending her title, Britton’s main competition could be her own injury-interrupted lead-in.
But the positive-thinking 26-yearold is making no excuses. “I tore my plantar fascia (tissue on the bottom of the foot) seven weeks ago but I’m not letting that deter me,” Britton said.
“I could have seen the injury as setback, but I chose to see it as a way to improve in other areas. I think that’s the only way you can do it and not let it get you down.
“Last year I was super pleased with that effort given I wasn’t originally lining up, so it’s been really nice to put in a good off-season, bar the injury, and line up for another crack.”
In a bid to prepare for this year’s event, Britton switched clubs to train under Nick Crilly and Barry Newman while she has also enjoyed the training company of fellow Tasmanian Matt Bevilacqua.
Britton will be one of 14 Tasmanians competing across the two-days with Peter Kay (over 40 event) also competing over the 41.8-kilometre long course.
Short course Tasmanian hopefuls include Shane Jupp (over 50), Craig Sly (over 30), Don Marsh (over 30), Chris Boult (open) and Connor Polden (open).
All are looking to place well in their respective categories while Georgia Matthews, Ned Lennox, Oliver Bailey and Tallow Peart will compete in the under 19 event.
The state will also have representation in the teams’ event on Saturday through Amanda Duggan, Miram Bolt and Michael Bolt.
“It’s hard in Tasmania training in winter so to just enter the Coolangatta Gold is amazing let alone competing in it, everyone should be super proud,” Britton said of her fellow Tasmanians.