Five things we learnt at the Aussies

With the 2019 Aussies drawing to a close on Sunday, the Bulletin takes a look back at the five things we learnt across the eight days of competition.

With the 2019 Aussies drawing to a close on Sunday, the Bulletin takes a look back at the five things we learnt across the eight days of competition.

Shannon Eckstein receives a guard of honour before his final ironman race. Picture: Harvpix

Eckstein hard to replace

Though the champion couldn’t get it done in his final ironman race, Shannon Eckstein reminded everyone on the shores of Broadbeach just how good he is. Despite falling over and falling behind the opening board leg of the ironman final, Eckstein quickly recovered and established himself in the leaders pack for all three legs. With a ninth Aussies title on the line, it all came down to a charge for home in the swim. TJ Hendy and Max Brooks led early but Eckstein willed himself into the picture with the first wave after the final buoy. He hit the shoreline first but his line had him placed too far down the beach and he couldn’t catch Max Brooks in a dash to the finish line. It was an almighty performance from the 35-year-old which had many questioning if he’d called time on his incredible career a year or two early. Along with his silver in the iron, Eckstein also added two gold and another silver to his impressive collection. At least we can watch him dominate the Masters competition next year.

‘I’M RUING IT:’ ECKSTEIN JUST MISSES OUT

Former ironman champion Guy Andrews competing in Masters competition at the Australian championships. Picture: Harvpix

Locals made of iron

Someone might want to check the iron levels in Gold Coast waterways because locals dominated surf lifesaving’s premier event. Of the 27 iron titles contested at the Aussies, Gold Coasters won ten of them. Locals claimed a podium clean sweep in the U15 ironman title with Currumbin’s Hugh Munro taking out the Matthew Barclay memorial trophy ahead of Kade Atchison (Northcliffe) and Zach King (Currumbin). Vikings Charlotte Cross and Ruby Meehan went one and two in the U15 ironwoman. In the opens, locals won three of the six iron titles with Georgia Miller (Northcliffe) taking out her maiden Aussies ironwoman crown, Mitch Coombes (Northcliffe) going back to back in the U19 ironman and Jade Slee (Mermaid Beach) taking out the U19 ironwoman. Shannon Eckstein fell agonisingly short of wining his ninth ironman title. The Masters also showed everyone they’ve still got it with five locals taking out irons crowns include Thomas Trembath (North Burleigh) in the 30-34 ironman and former ironman Guy Andrews (Tallebudgera) in the 45-49. Northcliffe stalwart Lee Vrolyks won the 35-39 ironwoman, Kurrawa’s Elin Ashfield Hedstrom took out the 50-54 race and Shirley Kemp (Tweed Heads Coolangatta) won the 70+ ironwoman race.

Ironwoman Georgia Miller completed a perfect season by winning at the Australian Surf Lifesaving titles at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast. Photo credit: Harvpix

Miller more than welcome

Northcliffe couldn’t believe their luck when they secured the services of Sydney-sider Georgia Miller in early 2018 and didn’t she make her presence known. Miller had a faultless first season in the maroon star, achieving a rare treble which includes the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman series, Coolangatta Gold and her maiden Aussies ironwoman title. The 23-year-old was also a force in team events, taking out four gold, one silver and one bronze medal alongside Northcliffe teammates.

MILLER CAPS OFF PEFECT SEASON WITH THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY GIFT

Kurrawa competitors keep an eye on the surf which challenged competitors across all eight days of competition. Picture: Harvpix

Local knowledge crucial

Even the champions struggled at times to navigate the Broadbeach swell across the week. Conditions were so challenging the event had to be partially relocated to North Kirra on Friday and Saturday. Ski races were particularly tumultuous and several surf craft went flying across the week after waves crashed down onto them and their competitors. With swell peaking at more than two metres, Gold Coast competitors had to take any advantage they could get. Many relied on local knowledge to steer themselves through the dumpy swell and several medalled as a result. The home ground advantage was evident in the final pointscore with Northcliffe comfortably taking out their 16th straight Aussies title, followed by Currumbin in third.

Tynan Neveceral, left, and Peter Thoroughgood, right, battling in the Australian beach flags race at the 2019 Aussies. Pic: Harvie Allison.

Against the odds

The Aussies were full of incredible underdog tales that will go down in history. You had Tynan Neveceral take out gold in the U15 flags after never having trained for surf lifesaving before. The 15-year-old even told his parents to go home when they dropped him off because he was sure he wouldn’t make it past the first round. Jade Slee from Mermaid Beach took out her first ironwoman title in the U19 final and couldn’t believe it. Ryan Blenkinship from Darwin is forced to stop training when his coach spots a crocodile and had never encountered swell like Broadbeach’s before he took to the water. The 2019 Aussies will definitely be one to remember.

NO TRAINING, NO EXPERIENCE, NO IDEA...NO WORRIES FOR NATIONAL FLAGS CHAMPION