Night and Day between Ali and world rivals
SURF lifesaving’s biggest names have backed Ali Day to pick up a maiden world oceanman title and seal his place as one of the sport’s greats.
The Surfers Paradise competitor won a record sixth Coolangatta Gold title in October and after snaring the sec- ond round of the Ocean6 series three weeks ago, is in contention to add a second Nutri-Grain ironman title to his resume this summer.
The 28-year-old lines up at the world titles in Adelaide this weekend as the favourite to claim the oceanman crown in a field that has been decimated by injury and illness.
With defending world champion Shannon Eckstein (calf) and Nutri-Grain series leader Matt Poole (lung infection) out of action and fellow heavyweights Matt Bevilacqua, Kendrick Louis and Cory Taylor having already faced a long week racing in the international division of the championships, a fresh Day is shaping as a title favourite.
“I think Ali is going to be pretty hard to beat in this board, swim, ski order,” Eckstein said.
“High tide is a really long race here and low tide is a lot of running but it looks like the final will be at high tide which will really suit Ali.
‘His form’s been really, really good this summer so far so I think he’ll be the one to beat.”
Poole started the season in outstanding form, finishing second in the ironman at the Queenscliff and Coolum Ocean6 rounds.
He is also backing Day, along with Kurrawa clubmate and Nutri-Grain champion Bevilacqua and Taylor.