Irons to stay in the fire
IRONMAN Matt Bevilacqua enjoyed the greatest moment of his career to date two months ago, but the celebrations are on hold in the hope of going one better at the Australian surf lifesaving championships in Perth.
The Kurrawa competitor, who moved from Tasmania in search of surf lifesaving glory, claimed the Nutri-Grain Ironman series in February, edging out good mate Ali Day (Surfers Paradise).
As tempted as he was to let his hair down and celebrate such a big achievement, Bevilacqua has kept his sights on an event greater prize – the Australian ironman title that will be decided at Scarborough beach in Perth on Sunday.
“It was an incredible day when I won the series and one that I have been training for years and years,” he said.
“It makes all those sacrifices such as leaving Tasmania worthwhile. It has taken a bit to sink in and I really don’t think it has yet.
“We’ve had to refocus for these Aussies and you don’t want to relax yet, you really want to make sure you finish off the season on a high.
“I’m pretty keen to finish off the next five days and then enjoy what the season has been.”
Winning a first Australian ironman title would be the perfect end to the season for Bevilacqua, Day and almost all the competitors entered in the blue riband event.
In the past decade, only three surf lifesavers have won the coveted title – Pierce Leonard in 2009, Cam Cole in 2013, and the great Shannon Eckstein who has dominated during that period and won six titles, to take his record number of victories in the big race to eight.
“Winning the ironman title would be incredible,” five-time Coolangatta Gold champion Day said.
“I think me and Bevy would love to put our names in the history books next Sunday afternoon.
“In the few Aussies ironman finals I have been in there have only been two winners – Shannon, who has won nearly all of them, and Cam Cole – so it just goes to show how hard it is to win that race.”