Oldest ironman race offers chance for young guns

The Surf Coast Times Jim Wall Ironman is the oldest ironman race in Australia and kicks off another big weekend of surf sport events on the coast.

This Friday, the Surf Coast Times Jim Wall Ironman will be run with another 16 races. The day’s competition starts at 1pm, with the Jim Wall event expected to be on at 5pm at Torquay Surf Beach.

Professional and amateur competitors travel from across Australia to participate in this signature event, with eight wild card spots up for grabs for round four of the Summer of Surf Ocean6 Nutri-Grain Ironman and woman event on Sunday at Fairhaven.

The 12 athletes who have already qualified for round four of the Summer of Surf Ocean6 event will still have the opportunity to compete in the Jim Wall.

One such professional athlete who will compete is Matt Bevilacqua from Kurrawa Surf Lifesaving Club, who won the event in 2014.

“I’m really keen to compete in the Jim Wall event this Friday,” Matt said.

“I love coming down to the Surf Coast to compete. I was born in Tasmania so I’m more accustomed to the colder water.

“It’s such a classic race and there are always great vibes from the competitors and athletes. I usually check out the Lorne Pier to Pub too, supporting any team mates or friends who may be swimming.”

Matt is presently sitting in third place with 217 points in the overall point score for the Summer of Surf Ocean6 Ironman series, 25 points behind leader Alastair Day.

“The Jim Wall allows for a bit of race prep for Sunday,” Matt said.

“It’s been a massive summer so far with wild results. The new race format in six different locations across the Australia provides for a variety of climates and conditions which is always interesting.

“Last year when I competed in the Jim Wall I didn’t do so well, coming in 10th place. It was very tricky conditions; the climate definitely threw a spanner in the works for me, but that’s the fun of racing, you’ll never know what you’re going to get until the day arrives.”

Most of the professional athletes are now training two to three times a day during the racing series.

“It’s a pretty amazing lifestyle,” Matt said.

“I love the board leg of the race, while swimming is definitely my weakest point; however I’ve been training hard in this area.

“Torquay conditions are very tricky so you have to focus on yourself and the surf to stay in the race. It’s really all about tactical racing on Friday… It’s a great lead up to round four on Sunday.”

Torquay SLSC’s Fleur Batties said the club was looking forward to a great day of competition with athletes from across Australia.

“We’re expecting around 150 athletes to compete throughout the day at Torquay, with the Jim Wall a highly anticipated event for competitors and the crowd.

“Young athletes for Torquay to look out for in earlier races during the day include Grace and Ben Harris, 16, Michael Tass, 16, Archie Vernon, 15, and Jayden Schram, 15.”

Last year’s event saw the young guns take out the podium in both the men and women’s event, with Jay Furniss (Manly), James Lacy (Mermaid Beach) and Dane Farrell (Elouera) placing first, second and third respectively.

Lizzie Welborn (North Bondi), Jemma Smith (Umina) and Maddy Dunn (Northcliffe), took out the Jim Wall Ironwoman podium last year.

Lizzie is sitting in ninth place with 178 points on the Ocean6 Nutri-Grain Ironwoman overall point’s score, 51 points behind leader Harriet Brown, who started her career with Ocean Grove SLSC and was the 2017 Nurti Grain Ironwoman champion.

Harriet might not compete in the Jim Wall on Friday due to her participation in the Lorne Pier to Pub the next day, but will still be down at Torquay competing in other events.

“I love racing back home, especially with my family and friends there to watch me compete,” Harriet said.

“It’s great to see the sport growing and the new racing format with Ocean6 allowing younger athletes the chance to qualify for the Nutri-Grain Ironman on Sunday.”

For more information on the Surf Coast Times Jim Wall Ironman events, head to torquayslsc.com.au/event/surf-coast-times-jim-wall-iron-man or ocean6.events.

It will be a big weekend of sport, with the 50th anniversary of the Wieland Shield, a competition between Californian and Victorian lifeguards, being battled out in Torquay and Lorne on Friday and Saturday respectively.