Injured Grant Kenny races on as Matt Poole returns with dad and emotional win at Masters, results

A legend of lifesaving was clobbered by a rogue ski but raced on, an ironman answered a family SOS and a duo paid an emotional tribute to a mate on the final day of the Aussies Masters. SEE THE PICTURES

Amanda Lulham and Eddie Franklin

2 min read

April 17, 2024 - 10:37AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Grant Kenny copped a rogue ski at the Australian Masters championsips.

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He’s a legend of the sport but even that couldn’t save Grant Kenny from the pain of a rogue ski hitting him during the final days of the masters competition.

Clubbies and teammates rushed to his aid to help him out of the water on day two of the event at Maroochydore.

“It was like someone being hit in the guts by Sam Thaiday full bore,’’ said an onlooker who witness the incident.

The 61-year-old Kenny showed the toughness and grit which saw him become one of the greats of the sport in his heyday by deciding to race on with his brother Martin and Alexandra Heads teammate Jeffery ‘Lemo’ Lemarseny in the 170 years ski relay final.

It was a decision which reaped the trio gold in remarkable conditions with the Alex teammates finishing a whopping 51 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals.

Grant Kenny and his teammates at Masters. Pictures: SLSA

“The rib is a bit sore but these things happen in surf lifesaving,” Kenny said.

Another former elite ironman was also turning heads in the final day of Masters.

Grant Kenny at the Australian Masters championsips.

Matt Poole, who lives on the Gold Coast, was wearing his old Queenscliff colours on the beach as he partnered up with father Ian in team events.

Grant Kenny at the Australian Masters championships.

“It was sort of last minute – my dad was racing with two of his teammates in Queenscliff and one of them got injured. So I got the last minute call up only a few weeks ago and here we are,” said Poole whose father handled for him during his elite career.

The Masters concluded on Tuesday. Pictures: SLSA

“I’ve seen a few of the old boys that I used to race against Nathan Smith, Wes Berg.

“I went out for a paddle before and Smithy was joking saying you’re not allowed to warm up, that’s not how Masters works. It’s a good, fun little vibe and like dad said it’s cool to race together.’’

Matt Poole and his father Ian.

Ian was delighted to have the father and son moment in the surf.

“It means a lot, You look back to when he started, he was six in the nippers,” he said.

“One of the best things … I’ll never forget, we were at Currumbin going to do a Nutri-Grain event and he went and saved a little girl who was disappearing around the rocks.

“It just goes to show that you’re still a lifesaver at heart no matter what and it’s always very, very important to give back to the community. We’re not just running around paddling boards,” he said.

Great action on the final day of Masters

Later, Bondi duo Julie Pritchard and Laura Thurtell claimed an emotional gold in the 50-54 years female double ski in honour of their late friend and club teammate Louise Santos.

Santos, 54, was on holiday in France last year with her husband and young son when she passed away suddenly.

Santos was Bondi’s first female individual Aussies gold medallist in 2005 and a member of the surf club team that became its first female opens winners with their victory in the R & R in 2006.

Bondi duo Laura Thurtell and Julie Pritchard.

Ms Santos was also female club champion four times between 2006 and 2013 and the first female to be inducted as a Bondi life member.

“We wanted to dedicate all of our winnings this season to her,” Thurtell said.

“It was a very tragic death so we want to remember her and keep her alive every time we compete.

“Louise was a real spunky chick and someone that encouraged everyone to give surf lifesaving a go. We know she’d be smiling and having a beer now most probably.”