Northcliffe continue women’s taplin domination as squad depth passes test

NORTHCLIFFE’S domination of the Ocean6 women’s taplin relay continues to highlight the club’s embarrassment of riches under renowned coach Naomi Flood.

NORTHCLIFFE’S domination of the Ocean6 women’s taplin relay continues to highlight the club’s embarrassment of riches under renowned coach Naomi Flood.

Led by Ironwoman stars Courtney Hanock, Hannah Sculley and Maddy Dunn, the Northcliffe A taplin team on Saturday made it four wins in five rounds to all but ensure they will go one better than last season’s runner-up finish.

The depth of the Northcliffe group under former Ironwoman champion Flood has meant the team has undergone change from round to round, with board specialist Sculley saying competition within the squad has taken performances to another level.

Northcliffe star Hannah Sculley. Picture: Jason O'Brien

“There is a lot of depth. We have five or six people who do Iron so they can do every leg, and then we have a few ski paddlers that are high quality and up there winning races,” Sculley said after extending her lead in the women’s board series to 43 points with victory at the weekend.

“It doesn’t matter what leg, we’ve always got people that are going to come out on the first few waves no matter what. It doesn’t matter if it’s big surf or flat water, we have people that can do everything and at training we’re doing the same thing.

Danielle McKenzie, Maddy Dunn and Hannah Sculley, members of the Northcliffe women’s taplin team. Picture: Shane Myers © 2019 Ocean6

“We have our on and off days, as with anyone, but at the end of the day we have each other’s back. We support each other and everyone gets behind everyone no matter what.

“We push each other and we’re all working hard so when you’re constantly having that high quality at training it reflects in the racing when you do have to push that bit harder.”

With the taplin title and board series crown within reach, Sculley said Flood would have her primed for the final round at Wanda later this month.

Northcliffe coach Naomi Flood. Picture: Richard Gosling

“(Naomi) is full on but you’ve just got to take it as it is, she knows her stuff and at the end of the day she just pushes you on your weaknesses to make them a strength.

“She has so much knowledge in not just ski, which is her forte. She’s won one of these (Ironwoman) series so she knows what it’s like to be one of us and she knows what we’re going through.

“She’s one of a kind, that’s for sure.”