Hannah Sculley wins Ironwoman round at Currumbin

Unknown ironwoman Hannah Sculley surprised both her rivals and herself when she became the fourth woman - but least known - to win a leg of the 2018/2019 Nutri Grain ironwoman series.

Hannah Sculley celebrates her win at Currumbin on Saturday. Picture: Shane Myer

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Unknown ironwoman Hannah Sculley surprised both her rivals and herself when she became the fourth woman - but least known - to win a leg of the 2018/2019 Nutri Grain ironwoman series.

The 20-year-old pulled off the biggest upset of the season on a day the big names of the sport failed to perform in big, tricky surf at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast.

And the win can just a year after Sculley had watched her idols racing while recovering from a shoulder reconstruction which sidelined her for the entire last season of Nutri-Grain ironwoman and Ocean6 racing.

With series lead Georgia Miller finishing off the podium and back in 11th place for the first time this season, the local lifesaver and surf club waitress took her opportunity to excel on a tough day for even the most experienced competitors.

Hannah Sculley celebrates her win at Currumbin on Saturday. Picture: Shane Myer

“I’ve surprised myself. I can’t believe it. I’m just happy to be running round with the big girls,” she said.

“This time last year I could only kick in the pool. I wasn’t allowed to do anything else.”

Sculley is a member of the Northcliffe women’s squad which also includes Miller and Maddy Dunn, who until Saturday had been dominating the series.

“I can just sit back and watch them, learn things from them,” she said.

“They don’t normally have to worry about me usually.”

Sculley finished ahead of Kristy Higginson with defending series champion Brielle Cooper third.

Overall Miller continues to lead the ironwoman series with two events still to race.

Dunn is in second place overall with Higginson moving into third courtesy of her podium on Saturday.

The next leg is on the Gold Coast on February 2.

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