PERFECT DAY ENDS IN CLASSIC WIN Second victory earns ironman series title
Surfers Paradise’s Ali Day and Maroochydore’s Tiarnee Massie have claimed the day two Ironmen and Ironwomen titles at the Shannon Eckstein Classic at BMD Northcliffe.
The win propelled Day to the overall series lead to claim the only title missing off his resume.
Lana Rogers claimed the overall win for the women’s continuing her spectacular form this summer which included the Coolangatta Gold and Nutri-Grain series wins.
Massie jumped off the board finish with Rogers and Georgia Miller hot on her heels, with the three neck and neck sprinting to the finish line.
“Oh my god, I am in shock,” Massie said.
“Since the Shannon Eckstein classic became an event, it was always a goal of mine to win it.
“I didn't think it would come this soon but I am so happy to win against such amazing women.”
Massie stuck with the leaders through the ski, swim and rode some great waves on the board to get herself in front towards the final sprint.
All eyes were on Rogers and Miller who remained close from the get go, with both showing their skills through the three legs.
It came down to the final stretch in the water as Rogers, Massie and Miller were just centimetres apart.
As the three rode the final waves in off the board, Massie was the first to jump off with Rogers and Miller hot on her heels.
As they turned the final bend on the sand, Massie held on to win by millimetres to claim victory.
In the mens, all eyes were on Day and Northcliffe’s Joe Collins as the pair were the two stars who were in with a chance of winning the overall season.
But it was Matt Bevilacqua who jumped out early on the ski and held the lead, catching the waves into shore for the first leg, closely followed by Day.
Collins closed the gap early in the swim but Bevilacqua found another gear, extending his lead further out before Day used the waves to close the gap in the swim as they all headed into shore.
Surfers Paradise’s Finn Askew picked up a perfect wave at the back end of the swim and led the way to the board leg ahead of Day, Bevilacqua and Collins.
Day claimed back the lead and extended it as he smashed his way through the final turn and the final sprint to claim his second Shannon Eckstein Classic.
“How good asked.
“I won the first one, the initial one, sorry Shannon, that is his title.
“I haven’t won a surfing classic title in a long time, finished second yesterday and have had a few seconds lately.
“So it was really great to get the win today and claim that one.” is that?” Day