FINAL BATTLE
ECKSTEIN BOWS OUT
IT was raining gold for Gold Coasters at Broadbeach yesterday as locals won three of the four iron races on the final day of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.
In the ironman final, it was oh-so-close to a fairytale finish for eight-time champion and a legend of the sport Shannon Eckstein in his final race before retirement.
Eckstein was in the leading pack for much of the race and was just beaten to the top spot by Newport product Max Brooks.
“This year’s been about enjoying it. I started nippers for enjoyment and that’s how I wanted to finish,” the Gold Coaster said after the race, the final event of the Aussies.
Northcliffe’s Georgia Miller, with a sensational swim leg, won the open ironwoman final ahead of two-time champion Courtney Hancock.
Emerging Northcliffe star Mitch Coombes won the U19 ironman and Jade Slee of Mermaid Beach SLSC won the U19 ironwoman. The event returns to the Coast next year.
WHEN Jade Slee crossed the finish line of the under 19 ironwoman final, she broke down in tears.
The 18-year-old from Mermaid Beach SLSC never in a million years imagined she’d win an ironwoman title, let alone one at the Aussies.
“I actually don’t know yet,” she said when asked how it feels to be a national champion. “It hasn’t sunk in yet that I just won that race.
“A lot of emotion ran through me (crossing the finish line) and it was the most exciting thing ever.”
After finishing fifth at the Queensland state titles, Slee had to contend with fierce conditions at Broadbeach.
“The board was challenging,” she said. “I’m pretty sure I came off nearly last out of the board transition but when I had that lead in the swim I knew I could hold on because it’s my speciality.”
And hold on she did. The star swimmer, who recently won bronze in the U19 10km race at the Australian open water championships, raced ahead in her favourite leg to establish a healthy lead.
“I train three times a week (for surf lifesaving), if that,” she said. “I knew my skills could get me through. This is the best year I’ve ever had.”
Slee’s story is also one of loyalty with the young gun saying she’s never once thought of leaving the club where she began her surf career.
“It means the world to me (to represent Mermaid Beach),” she said.
“I’ve been at Mermaid Beach ever since nippers and to finally get a win is unbelievable.”