Manly ironwoman Naomi Scott back for another crack at Coolangatta Gold
Manly surf ironwoman Naomi Scott is hoping to play a starring role in a sporting event made famous by a movie - the Coolangatta Gold.
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When Naomi Scott crossed the finish of her first Coolangatta Gold it took just a second or two for her to vow she would never do the famous race again.
Five minutes later she was plotting her return to the event made famous by the 1984 movie.
Next month Scott will have the chance to see if practice does make perfect when she takes on the gruelling race which for the first time doubles as the opening round of the new Nutri-Grain ironwoman and ironman series.
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“I did it two years ago and I definitely wasn’t prepared for it as much as I needed to be,’’ Scott said.
“I hadn’t done a lot of ski paddling and I came ninth.
“One thing I learned is it is as much a mental race as physical race and I need to be prepared for that.’’
The Manly club surf life saver is studying commerce and advanced computing at Sydney University and also works as a swim teacher.
While time poor she has plenty of incentive to put in the hard yards ahead of the Nutri-Grain ironwoman series after a shock result last season - on her birthday.
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“My goal for the series this year is being far more consistent. I had some good and some really terrible results last season,’’ Scott said.
“I came last in one of the races. That was dreadful. I actually came last on my birthday at Surfers Paradise.
“I just didn’t get my race together well and started to panic. I just couldn’t get going.
“It wasn’t the best birthday but I came away from that weekend a little lost.
“Then I did a mentoring program and met a whole lot of young girls and it reminded me of why I love this sport.
“It helped rekindle my passion. It was a kick up the bum for Aussies.’’
Scott heads into the ironwoman series with the title of NSW Youth Athlete of the Year and a string of top performances, including claiming a silver in the Australian under 19s ironwoman and wins in the swim team, board relay, ski relay and open sprint relay at the NSW titles.
She is also just one of four ironwomen racing for NSW club on this year’s professional ironwoman circuit.
However others - including northern beaches star Georgie Miller - hail from NSW but have relocated to compete in Queensland club colours this season.
Wanda’s Britney Pierce earned her spot in the main field via a qualifying event last weekend with Scott, Lizzie Welborn (North Bondi) and NSW ironwoman champion Jemma Smith (Umina) qualified from last season in the 20-strong field.
The Coolangatta Gold will be included as a full point scoring round of the Nutri-Grain series for the first time on October 13.
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