Teenage ironman Zach Morris claims shortcourse open crown at Coolangatta Gold
There were shocks, upsets and an impressive win from a northern beaches teenager in the iconic Australian surf life saving event, the Coolangatta Gold.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Top ironman Kendrick Louis has described his second outing in the Coolangatta Gold as “a long and lonely day out’’ but a northern beaches young gun had a different experience in the short course race.
While Manly life saver Louis and Newport’s Max Brooks finished well off the podium in the full distance race, teenager Zach Morris raced off with the open men’s shortcourse title at the Coolangatta Gold on the Gold Coast.
MOVE: Giants gun crossing back to soccer.
CHANGE: From league ref to Rugby Sevens
Just 17, Morris emerged triumphant after making a race-winning tactical decision in the run.
“I had to get a good start and stay at the front,” said Newport surf life saver Morris, who finished third in the under 19s shortcourse race last year.
“I knew my swim leg was my strongest leg so I really pushed it hard then, so I could back it off in the board and save up for the run.
“About 100m off the turning flag in the run I thought ‘I’ve got to start pushing the pace here if I want to win this’, so I overtook Kaan (Karadag) and just went for it from there.’’
CAREER: Kookaburra mining for success
PUMPED: Boxer ready for Aussie titles
Morris, the world youth ironman champion, covered the 21km course in 2hrs 20 min 14 seconds with Karadag second.
Brooks, 24, finished in ninth place with Louis, from Manly, 11th, and Jay Furniss (Manly) 7th.
It was a long and lonely day out for me. It wasn’t great’’ Louis, 28, said.
“I paddled the entire board leg the whole way on my own, about 30m behind a group.
“I was just lucky my fiance and friends were there to support me and keep me going.
“I just couldn’t turn a trick all day. This is definitely one of those races you need to be feeling on in the morning and my body just didn’t co-operate.’’
MORE SPORT
Brooks said he had been aiming for a podium in the race but had struggled in the final run.
“I just hit a wall,’’ said Brooks, who was on course for third when his body rebelled against more than four hours of racing.
The women’s shortcourse event was won by Noosa’s Courtney Bryant with Rachel Crerar second and her Manly SLSC teammate Flo Epper third.
Nutri-Grain ironwomen Lizzie Welborn (Newport) finished 14th, Naomi Scott (Manly) 20th and Britney Pierce (Wanda) 15th in the women’s event won by Lana Rogers from Central Coast ironwoman Jemma Smith.