Coombes reveals strategy behind back to back ironman wins

Mitchell Coombes’ balancing act has paid off after the 19-year-old took out his second consecutive under-19 Aussies ironman title yesterday.

Mitchell Coombes’ balancing act has paid off after the 19-year-old took out his second consecutive under-19 Aussies ironman title yesterday.

The Northcliffe young gun revealed that dropping to a part time workload has allowed him to excel at training and get the best out of himself this season.

Mitch Coombes couldn't contain his emotion as he crossed the finish line of the under 19 ironman race. Picture: Harvpix

“I’ve been doing my morning sessions at 5am, swimming five or six kilometres in the pool and then the afternoon sessions I get to if I can,” he said.

“At the start of the season, we had the world championships and I was training 14 times a week three times a day for that.”

Coombes never looked in doubt yesterday at Broadbeach and even had time to soak up the atmosphere before crossing the line first just like he did in 2018 in Perth.

“That race was number one on my list coming here this weekend,” he said.

“I won the same event last season so to come here and do the same thing is pretty special.”

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With conditions testing many interstate competitors, Coombes remained calm and cruised through all three legs.

“We came down here last week to train,” he said.

“Seeing the swell this weekend is nothing like we’ve trained in lately so you’ve got to take the local knowledge when you get it.”