Ironwoman Britney Pierce, teen swimmer Lani Pallister steal show at Interstate lifesaving titles

A teenage ironwoman competing for the wrong state and the daughter of a famous sporting couple have starred the Interstate surf lifesaving championships on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

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A teenage ironwoman competing for the wrong state and the daughter of a famous sporting couple have starred as Australia’s top surf lifesavers contested the Interstate championships on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Wanda surf lifesaver Britney Pierce produced the biggest win of her fledging ironwoman career on Thursday - for a rival state.

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Watched by father Greg, the manager of the NSW team, the 17-year-old won the open ironwoman race for South Australia, the state which drafted her when she failed to make the cut for the Blues team.

Wanda ironwoman Britney Pierce won her event for a rival state. Pic: Harvie Allison

Britney Pierce after her win. Pice: David Swift

She rewarded their faith with victory in one of the blue riband events of the carnival, finishing ahead of NSW team duo Jemma Smith and Naomi Scott in the ironwoman racing.

“There were a lot of good girls going for the NSW spot so when I got my chance I took it,” said Pierce, who made her debut appearance in the Nutri-Grain ironwoman series last year and has raced twice this season.

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There was better news for NSW in the ironman with Max Brooks defending his interstate ironman crown on his home beach.

Brooks is hoping to crack the podium in one of the two remaining rounds of the Nutri-Grain ironman series with the interstates valuable race preparation.

Swim star Lani Pallister won the surf race at the Interstate championships. Pic Harvie Allison

“Racing is the best training,” said Brooks whose best result on the pro series this season is a fifth.

Tokyo Olympic swim aspirant Lani Pallister made the most of her brief switch from the pool to the beach by wining the open women’s surf race for Queensland.

Pallister is the daughter of Janelle Elford, a two-time Olympic finalist, Commonwealth Games gold medallist over the 1500m freestyle, and former ironman, surf swim star and triathlete Rick Pallister.

“I just love the surf lifesaving and I’m so happy I can do it again this year,’’ said Pallister, who missed the last Australian surf lifesaving titles to compete at the Pan Pacs.

Pallister, 16, is hoping to make the Australian swim team cut ahead of the Tokyo Olympics next year

“I’d love to make the 800m and 1500m in Tokyo,’’ she said.