Series start proves a tough moment for Mercer on mend

JORDAN Mercer has had time to come to terms with the fact that she will not be able to defend her NutriGrain ironwoman title.

But she said the reality of the situation hit her yesterday as she had to watch on at North Cronulla as the athletes were being introduced for the opening race of the series – and she was not there as defending champion.

“Just being down here and watching something I’ve been a part of for six years was a whole new perspective and it was pretty hard for me to be honest,” said Mercer, who needed surgery in January to repair a fracture in her foot.

“Obviously I’ve had a very long time for it to sink in that I wasn’t going to be part of the series this year but it wasn’t until I realised that that No.1 that I worked so hard to earn (wasn’t going to be in the series) and that was one of the things I realised for the first time this weekend.”

In a moving gesture, series sponsors Ohana presented her with her No.1 swimwear.

“That meant a lot to me and I feel like I have done it. It’s so not the same, but it feels real,” she said.

Mercer, who recently returned to the gym as part of her rehabilitation, will aim for a return to competition at the Molokai to Oahu paddleboard race in July.