Umina ironwoman Jemma Smith finishes top 10 to stay in race for Nutri-Grain surf crown
Jemma Smith has had a lot of success this season. So why is she still happy with a result off the podium in round two of the Nutri-Grain ironwoman series?
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Jemma Smith has become used to climbing onto podiums in recent times with a world title and then a second place in the Coolangatta Gold.
But the Avoca Kayak Club and Umina surf life saving member said she is happy enough with her 10th placing in the second round of the Nutri-Grain ironwoman series at Burleigh Heads on Sunday.
Smith, who rushed into the limelight with a round win on the professional ironwoman series while on a break from her HSC in 2018, said the 40 minute swim, board, ski test on Sunday was both painful and tough.
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“It was super tough, the pace was on from the start and the run legs were long. It hurt a lot,’’ she said.
“You always want to push the top end of course. I would have liked to be at the pointy end of the race.
“But I have to be happy to be in the top half of the field. This series is all about consistency.’’
Her 10th in round two and second in the Coolangatta Gold behind Lana Rogers has put her in fifth place heading into the third round of the professional iron series at Bulli next month.
Rogers is the woman to beat in the series after winning the opening two rounds of the 2019/20 series.
She leads on 40 points from Georgia Miller (34), Courtney Hancock (33), Danielle McKenzie (32) and Smith on 30pts.
Athletes are able to drop their worst performance at the end of the five race series which now moves to Bulli for round three.
REMAINING ROUNDS
Round 3: December 1, Bulli.
Round 4: December 15, Surfers Paradise.
Round 5: January 19, North Cronulla.