Creedy’s in with big shot at title

A DECADE after she earnt a surprise Nutri-Grain series spot immediately after her switch from competitive swimming, Rebecca Creedy heads into today’s competition a realistic chance of adding the title she covets most to an already impressive surf lifesaving resume.

Creedy, who pips veteran Kristyl Smith by a month to be the oldest woman in the field at 33, has enjoyed a renaissance over the past nine months after a poor showing in last year’s series.

A second Australian ironwoman title was followed by the Summer of Surf series crown, a title Creedy took despite being in training with her aim being firmly on the NutriGrain weekend.

“A lot of people concentrate on things like the Coolangatta Gold – and that was something I’d always done just to say I’d done it – but this year, I really went into it thinking it was a good training session,’’ she admitted.

“It was all a good bit of prep for the shortcourse racing for the season. It isn’t on my bucket list but the Nutri-Grain definitely is.

“I’ve basically been trying to freshen up the last three weeks (after Summer of Surf) … and Monday morning I woke up feeling brilliant.

“So everything’s going right and I’m just looking forward to getting out there.’’

While Creedy will be among the favourites, the surf will be the wildcard this weekend, with a swell expected at North Cronulla over the three rounds of competition.

Athletes who trained in the North Cronulla swell before yesterday’s race briefings were left salivating at the prospect of the surf coming into the equation – something that has not happened in the series for several years.

And while Creedy, an Australian swimming representative, is not known for her superior surf skills, she too was looking forward to the demands of the ocean.

“I think a lot of people think I go really well in the flat and I probably do because of my fitness but I love the surf and I’m looking forward to getting out there in the surf,” she said.