Athletes of Iron primed for Jim Wall

TWO-TIME reigning Surf Coast Times Jim Wall Iron winner Matt Gilling expects a tight race as the annual Torquay SLSC event returns to Torquay Surf Beach today (January 8).

Gilling, a former Torquay local now competing out of Burleigh Heads SLSC, hopes to claim his fourth Jim Wall Ironman trophy in its 62nd year, and third in a row.

“Growing up racing in Victoria, this is the premier event,” Gilling said.

“It’s as big as the state titles, it’s arguably harder to win with better competitors participating, and there is so much history behind it.

“It’s the oldest running race in the world, and if you have a look at the trophy, there is a hundred different names on it.”

Two-time defending Jim Wall champion Matt Gilling will look to acquire his fourth win at the annual event.

Among the favourites in the men’s race are Jesse Coulson of Surfers Paradise SLSC (formerly Half Moon Bay SLSC) as well as locals Nick Thomas and Ben Harris, but Gilling made mention of fellow Torquay kid and last year’s runner-up, Archie Vernon.

“It will be a really close race, Archie is flying at the moment, he’s looking really fast in the swim, we’ve been paddling and skiing all week and he’s looking fit there too,” Gilling added.

“He’s revving up at the right time, so I’d say he’s probably the man to beat.”

There will be 5,000 points up for grabs this year as part of the Summer of Surf, providing an added incentive for the Surfers Paradise SLSC-based Vernon, who is fresh off a win at the Rip View Swim Classic in Point Lonsdale.

“You have to take this event seriously because there’s so many good athletes,” Vernon said.

“I’m excited for this year’s event, I feel like I’ve grown so much in the past 12 months, racing, and training a bit more seriously, and sacrificing little things like going out less.

Rip View Swim Classic winner Archie Vernon, last year’s Jim Wall runner-up, is hungry to win the event this time around.

“I’m definitely a better Ironman than I was a year ago.”

With last year’s female winner Sophie Thomas not participating in the Jim Wall this year, the women’s field is wide open.

Jemima Asher (Torquay SLSC), Mia Cook (Warrnambool SLSC), Paige Holt (Mordialloc SLSC), Zoe Honey (Ocean Grove SLSC) and Tia McNaughton (Ocean Grove SLSC) are all touted to take out this year’s title.

“It’s going to be a really tough race,” Asher said ahead of the Jim Wall.

“Hopefully the conditions are favourable, but it should be a good race. Me personally, I’m just focused on going into it with a good mindset and trying my best.”