Harris on the hunt as Jim Wall arrives

TORQUAY-RAISED Ironwoman Grace Harris will have her sights set on this year’s Jim Wall Classic trophy when hundreds of surf athletes make their way to Torquay Front Beach this Sunday.

The newly renamed Jim Wall Classic kicks off this weekend capping off a huge line-up of summer surf lifesaving events across the region, as the world’s oldest Iron event enters its 63rd year.

Harris, who achieved a life-long goal of being named an Ironwoman a year ago, is eager to get her name on the silverware that has narrowly eluded her in the past, finishing runner-up in her most recent Jim Wall appearance two years ago.

“A little bit of extra motivation heading into this one, but it’s my fourth or fifth Jim Wall I’ll be competing in this year,” Harris said.

“The goal this year will be to win it, I’m not too familiar with the other names that will be competing, but I love racing down here in Torquay.

“It’s always fun to race on your home beach and I’m just excited to see what happens.”

Defending men’s champion and former Torquay lifesaver will Archie Vernon and three-time Jim Wall Classic winner Matt Gilling are both confirmed to take part in the men’s field according to event director Tim Altman.

Altman told the Surf Coast Times this year’s Jim Wall Classic the event program will become available to Under 13s lifesavers for the first time in its history.

The move will give the region’s up and coming lifesaving athletes a chance to test their mettle on one of the state’s biggest coastal stages.

“We see it as a great opportunity for some our younger athletes to stand alongside the senior role models and be a part of the Jim Wall program with their heroes,” Altman said.

“There’s plenty to look forward to this year with an array of elite athletes like Archie, Matt, and Grace; we have an exciting, young local guy coming down from Queensland by the name of Sean Reilly.

“We also have other quality national medallists coming down from some of the huge clubs up there such as Mermaid Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Burleigh Heads too.”

In total there are over 50 events as part of this year’s Jim Wall, spanning the Under 13s, Under 15s, Under 17s, and Open age categories.

It is also the second year running 5,000 Summer of Surf points will be up for grabs in the Open age category for registered athletes.