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COOLANGATTA Gold champion Courtney Hancock has backed Jordan Mercer to return to her best despite not having an automatic finals spot in the new Nutri-Grain ironwoman series.
The event begins a new chapter this weekend when the opening round is held at Sydney’s Queenscliff beach as part of the Ocean6 series.
Mercer won her first title in 2015-16 but was unable to defend her title after suffering a foot stress fracture last year.
Another stress fracture, this time to an arm, prevented her from challenging for a seventh consecutive Molokai to Oahu paddleboard title and the recent death of her uncle, ironman champion Dean, has been another huge challenge.
Under the new series structure, only the top six finishers from last year’s series will automatically qualify for the ironman and ironwoman final in each round, with Mercer NEW Titans coach Garth Brennan wants to get to know controversial star Jarryd Hayne away from football. Judging by the response to Hayne’s appearance at Fiji’s training session at Brisbane Grammar School yesterday, Brennan will find he is popular with kids. among those to have to qualify through the heats.
But Hancock, who will challenge for a fourth series crown this summer, backed Mercer to return to the winners’ circle.
“Jordy will be back, no doubt about it,” Hancock said.
“She’s one of those people who’s so determined in what she does, she does everything so well and she’s so humble as a person.
“I look forward to having Jordy around again, I miss her out there racing.”
Mercer’s father Darren, who also coaches his daughter, said she was motivated to return to her best.