Courtney Hancock returns to scene of first Nutri-Grain ironwoman win
FROM her race position, the conditions and the ‘lucky’ swimsuit she wore, there’s not a lot ironwoman Courtney Hancock doesn’t remember about her first-ever Nutri-Grain series win.
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FROM her race position, the conditions, her main rivals and the “lucky’’ swimsuit she wore, there’s not a lot champion ironwoman Courtney Hancock has forgotten about her first-ever Nutri-Grain series win.
Now eight seasons on Hancock, 29, is returning to her happy hunting ground at Surfers Paradise chasing another first — a maiden victory on the 2017/18 professional series.
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“I am looking forward to racing because Surfers has always been good to me as home of my first-ever series win,’’ said Hancock, who won her third Coolangatta Gold in October.
“It’s always a positive place for me and because of that first win, very special, so I feel good about this weekend.
“You know, I still remember that first win so clearly. I remember going into the final ski and it was between Liz Pluimers and me. I even remember how much I wanted it and what I was thinking.
“I remember I was wearing my lucky pink togs, my favourites, and I had had a dream before the race of lifting the (finish) tape in the air like I remember seeing Karla Gilbert.’’
Hancock said she also has a “lucky’’ someone coming to the race in partner and Tasmania cricketer Nick Buchanan.
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“Nick will be here watching as well which makes its special because he is in Tassie. It’s hard to watch each other a lot of the time because we are in different states,’’ she said of the fast bowler who will be part of her handling team for the eliminator racing.
“I feel very lucky to have him. He can be my lucky charm this time.’’
After teenagers Jemma Smith and Brielle Cooper won the opening three rounds of the Nutri-Grain ironwoman event, veteran Harriet Brown broke through for her first win of the series two weeks ago in Victoria to strengthen her grip on the overall series.
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Hancock, however, is out of the running for the series win, but still determined to chase down a round victory.
Strong results in the final two events this weekend at Surfers Paradise and then Sydney on February 25 could see Hancock crack the top six which would earn her an automatic contract for next season.