History calling super Cooper
SHE failed to make the final of the opening race of the season but at just 18 Brielle Cooper stands on the cusp of an incredible Nutri-Grain series victory this weekend.
The Kurrawa ironwoman has two wins and a second placing in the four races since then to be in the box seat heading into the final round at North Cronulla on Sunday.
With athletes able to drop their worst result of the series this season, Cooper remains in the title hunt and she and defending champion Harriet Brown, from Northcliffe, are locked in a virtual match race for the title.
Cooper’s results have exceeded her expectations but she has quickly reassessed her goals and has the hunger to win a maiden title.
“I’d love to win a series at 18, I think that would be something I would remember forever,” Cooper said.
“It definitely has sunk in that I do have a shot at the title and for me, that’s something I didn’t expect to come up this year or in the next few years.
“For me, it’s definitely really exciting heading down this weekend and hopefully I can pull a good result.
“Even to finish (the series) on the podium, that’d be an improvement on last year (when) I think I ended up 18th.
“No matter what happens this weekend, I can’t really complain, I’ve definitely improved on last year.
“But I’d definitely like to win the title and I’ll do whatever I can to get there.”
Cooper would be the youngest series winner since Karla Gilbert if she performs well in the final round at North Cronulla.
“Obviously, Karla Gilbert, Liz Pluimers, they’re all big people in our sport who have done so well in so many different disciplines,” she said.
“For me to be able to go on the title trophy would be such a big deal.
“It’d be really exciting, especially at 18, I think I would be one of the youngest girls to ever win a series.”
Cooper has had success in the eliminator format this year, winning at Coolum and Wollongong, where various eliminator formats were in place, and finishing second at Surfers Paradise last start, where competitors were again culled during the race.
“I guess I’ve had three cracks at the eliminator and they’ve been my three podium finishes,” she said.
“Hopefully, that will work in my favour this weekend but it is such short, sharp racing and it can be so cutthroat, especially when they’re dropping six people per round.
“So I could be out in the first race, who knows.”