Georgia Miller is preparing to defend her Coolangatta Gold crown after she helped Australia reign supreme in South Africa

There was food poising, flight delays and a packed racing calendar but Georgia Miller believes that her trip to South Africa was a ‘blessing in disguise’ as she prepares to defend her Coolangatta Gold crown.

THERE was food poising, flight delays and a packed racing calendar but Georgia Miller believes that her trip to South Africa was a ‘blessing in disguise’ as she prepares to defend her Coolangatta Gold crown.

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The Northcliffe star recently returned from Durban where Australia claimed the overall International Surf Rescue Challenge Trophy for the eighth consecutive year where she flexed her iron skills to take out the female Ocean M format.

Matt Bevilacqua and Georgia Miller eye off Coolangatta Gold trophies. Photo: Tim Marsden

“I think going away was a blessing in disguise,” she said.

“It was good just to not really think about the race.

“I find that racing is really great training.

“We did a few runs on the treadmills and Shannon Eckstein was one of the coaches on the trip so we did a few ski sessions on the water with him which was really good.”

The Australian camp was at one stage floored by a bout of food poisoning which forced Currumbin competitor Ben Carberry to sit out a day’s worth of racing.

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“I had a little bit of it but nothing too bad,” Miller said.

The 23-year-old was also forced to endure a 28 hour journey home to the Gold Coast as multiple flight delays saw her eventually crawl into her own bed at 3:30am last Saturday morning.

“I was trying to do calf raises up the back of the plane to make sure I didn’t get cankles,” Miller said.

“The jet lag is finally leaving my system but by Saturday night I might be a bit nervous and not sleep too well.”

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After winning her maiden gold crown in a stunning time of 4:29:22 last year, Miller said she is embracing her bid at back to back titles.

Coolangatta Gold Festival. Georgia Miller Defending Coolangatta Gold & Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Champion Pic Tim Marsden

“Last year I really put pressure on myself,” she said.

“I wanted to make my move to the Gold Coast feel worth it.

“It’s always harder backing up a title than winning your first.

“Nothing will take away last year’s result.

“I just want to be happy with my result whether that’s first or fifth I just want to know that I’ve put everything on the line.”

When asked at what point the fatigue starts to set in during the ultimate 41.8km endurance challenge, Miller said the entire four hour journey from Coolangatta to Broadbeach and back was a slog.

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“The start is like a normal race, it’s so fast,” she said.

“You get off the ski and your legs are like jelly.

“It’s all hard and there isn’t a point where you feel good.”