Hancock backing youth

CAPTAIN Bonnie Hancock believes youth will be an advantage, rather than an impediment, for Queensland as they bid to defend their Surf Life Saving Australia interstate championship at South Australia’s Moana Beach today.

Queensland will launch their title defence without many of their highest-profile stars but Kurrawa’s Hancock, who will share captaincy duties with Mermaid Beach ironman Luke Cuff, does not believe that will hold the Cyclones back.

“We do have a young team but the way the sport is at the moment, I think that’s where it’s at,” Hancock said.

“You see the young ones come through and win races these days, they’re so strong both physically and mentally and I don’t think anything scares them to be honest.

“I think that fearlessness

should play to their advantage.

“Where we might lack some experience, I think that’s made up with enthusiasm and I believe we’ve got enough experience on the team to guide those young ones and that mix of youth and experience will work well for us.”

The Queensland team arrived into a furnace yesterday, with Adelaide sweltering in temperatures of more than 40C. The same is predicted for today and while it will uncomfortable, Hancock said the conditions were likely to play into the Queenslanders’ hands.

“Obviously we don’t often get this extreme heat but we are used to racing in the sun and the heat and used to doing what we have to in regards to sun safety and hydration and all the things that add up over the day,” Hancock said.

“I’m hoping that will play in our favour and our ability to deal with the heat having trained in it will work well for us.”

Sixteen Gold Coast athletes are among the Queensland team, including Nutri-Grain series competitors Brielle Cooper, Karlee Nurthen, Cuff and Jackson Maynard.

Queensland face a tough battle to hold their title, with NSW strengthening their beach division in a bid to pick up points from their rivals.

Head Coach Jim Walker said NSW had always had strong water athletes but adding depth to their beach events would helping them push for the title. “This year we have strengthened our team selection with two beach athletes we think are well and truly up for it,” Walker said.

Dynamos Jemma Smith and Lizzie Welborn will step up into the open category for the Blues after strong performances in the Ocean6 series.

The state against state battle covers 46 races including iron racing, board, ski, taplin relays, rescue events, beach flags and beach sprints.