Surf couple Brielle Cooper, Matt Bevilacqua chasing Nutri-Grain series history
MATT Bevilacqua has worked out every possible way he can win the Nutri-Grain ironman title at Cronulla but girlfriend Brielle Cooper doesn’t want to know who stands in her way.
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MATT Bevilacqua has worked out every possible way he can win the Nutri-Grain ironman title at Cronulla this weekend but girlfriend Brielle Cooper doesn’t want to know who or what is standing in her way.
The pair head a changing of the guard in the sport which this season has seen three different winners in the men’s racing and three of the five rounds of the ironwoman racing won by teenagers.
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Now the surf partners are bidding to become the first couple ever to win the top professional series for surf lifesavers at the season finale at North Cronulla on Sunday.
“That would be pretty special for sure,’’ said Cooper, at 18, the second youngest winner of a round this year.
Bevilacqua admits he is more nervous for Cooper at races than she is, so much so he now forgoes his warm-up.
“She is young but very cool headed, she is very, very chill and calm,” said Bevilacqua, 25, who must beat training mate Ali Day to have a shot at claiming his first Nutri-Grain crown.
“I get more nervous for her than I do for myself.
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“I don’t even have to go for a warm-up for my race because me heart rate is going so fast.”
Cooper has been a revelation after last year earning a wildcard into what was just a two-day series and finishing near last.
This season she has won two of the five rounds contested - the only ironwoman to achieve multiple victories - but says she has been able to take her sudden success this season in her stride.
“To be honest I didn’t expect to be in this position for a couple of years. I didn’t even know if I would be able to place in an event this year,’’ Cooper said.
“I’m a little nervous but there really isn’t any pressure on me. To win I think I have to beat Harriet (Brown) but I don’t really want to know.”
There is, however, plenty of weight on Bevilacqua’s shoulders with his best result in the series a third two years ago and his motivation to become the first ironman from Tasmania to win the series.
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“I grew up in Hobart and was at Clifton Beach, which is the most southern surf club,” said Bevilacqua, now based on the Gold Coast.
“The water is freezing but I just loved the surf, the community, the lifestyle, being on the beach. Even when it was cold and you had to get out of bed when it was snowing, I just still enjoyed it.”
The simplest equation for Cooper and Bevilacqua to win them maiden Nutri-Grain crowns is for both of them to win the finale over Harriet Brown and Day.