Aussies: Defending champion Liz Pluimers says impossible to pick favourite for ironwoman

REIGNING Australian champion Liz Pluimers says the field for the Australian ironwoman final is so close it is almost impossible to pick a favourite.

Nutri_Grain, Nutragrain

REIGNING Australian champion Liz Pluimers says the field for the national ironwoman final is so close it is almost impossible to pick a favourite.

Pluimers, who has retired from ironwoman competition, will take part in several team events with North Burleigh at this week’s Aussies on the Sunshine Coast.

But she will not line up in the blue riband ironwoman and admitted that she would probably have some regrets on Sunday when the finalists toe the line.

“It’ll be tough, I’ll definitely want to be out there with them but it’ll definitely be a good race to watch,’’ Pluimers said.

“I didn’t really feel like (doing the ironwoman), time has sort of called and I thought just a bit of fun with the girls is enough.’’

Pluimers was forced out of the Nutri-Grain series by a calf injury after just two races this summer and called time on her professional career at the end of the season.

And she found it difficult to pick a favourite for the Australian title given the number of contenders.

Noosa’s Jordan Mercer took Pluimers’ Nutri-Grain crown this season but it was a tumultuous series, with Mercer, Kirsty Higgison and Georgia Miller all winning races.

“I don’t know, I don’t think you could actually pick a favourite,’’ Pluimers said.

“There’s quite a few girls that are gunning for that top position.

“Jordan Mercer’s definitely looking very strong, Georgia Miller, any of the girls from the Nutri-Grain series could get up on the day, I think.’’

Pluimers predicted the race winner would have to be error free, handling the swell, wind and tricky inshore conditions to take out the title.

“There is a little bit of surf and there’s a bit of wind up at the moment, so that could play a role in the outcome as well,’’ she said.

“And there’s a few potholes and things like that, so it’s definitely quite tricky.

“Whoever’s on top of their game and can come out with mistake-free racing (will get the win).’’

Pluimers has been in heavy training for the Molokai challenge board and ski races.

She admitted that she was looking forward to the switch from an individual focus to the team events.

“The Nutri-Grain (series) is very individually focused and then coming to Aussies and putting on the green and white cap of North Burleigh and getting involved in the team events with the girls is always good fun,’’ said Pluimers, who will compete this weekend in the board relay, ski relay and taplin.

“I’m just enjoying that this year at Aussies. So it’s definitely got a different feel about it. We’ve got quite a good crew here at the moment so we’ve got quite a few teams.

“Even some young ones in the under-17s coming up and racing in the opens, which is good as well.’’

Meanwhile, Mermaid Beach claimed the men’s open board relay title yesterday.

Luke Cuff, James Lacy and Simon Murfet combined for the win.