Broady hearts break
VICTORIA has broken an eight-year drought to pick up Surf Life Saving Australia’s IRB title by a single point from Broadbeach.
While competition was postponed on Saturday due to dangerous surf conditions at Thirroul on the NSW South Coast, competitors took to the water yesterday with the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club winning Victoria only its second IRB championship.
Kiama Downs, from NSW, finished third after a golden effort in the masters competition last week.
Williamstown team manager and Victorian Fire Fighter Scott Ivey said the club was elated.
“We are over the moon, words don’t describe it,” he said. “Today’s conditions were challenging but for Victorians it was enjoyable, we like the cold.
“Our teams raced to their best and we are thrilled with the outcome.”
Ivey also congratulated the Broadbeach crew on the close racing, with the Gold Coasters just a whisker away from taking the national title.
“What a great competitor, with one points difference it really came down to the wire,” Ivey said. It was a weekend of thrills and spills, a fact clearly noted after the event by Broadbeach team manager Courtney Wilson.
“Competitors had to be on fire from the start and the conditions perfect for crews that love racing in waves,” she said. “With Just one point between the bridesmaids and the winners, it was definitely a tough competition.”
“The waves have been the best waves of the weekend and Broadbeach loves racing in waves.”