Aussies: Rebecca Creedy overcomes lack of self-belief to win ironwoman crown

REBECCA Creedy’s self belief had sunk so low not even she gave herself a chance of winning a second Australian ironwoman title yesterday.

Northcliffe's Rebecca Creedy wins the Australian surf lifesaving titles ironwoman final at Maroochydore beach on April 24, 2016. Credit: HARVPIX

REBECCA Creedy’s self belief had sunk so low not even she gave herself a chance of winning a second Australian ironwoman title yesterday.

Little wonder she crossed the finish line and immediately slumped to the sand in tears, a mix of joy, relief and utter disbelief that she had just overcome the best ironwomen in the country.

There were times over summer when Creedy’s form was so poor she wondered whether she should give up and “get a real job’’.

Her energy sapped after overtraining for the Coolangatta Gold, she struggled through the Nutri-Grain series, eventually finishing in 14th place and questioning whether she should retire.

Rebecca Creedy of Northcliffe cries tears of joy and relief after taking out gold in the ironwoman final at the Australian SLSC Titles in Maroochydore. Photo: Lachie Millard

But after six weeks of training with husband Rhett Collie — who rebuilt her mind as much as her body — the Northcliffe competitor surfed her way to a great ironwoman win ahead of Georgia Miller and teen sensation Jemma Smith at Maroochydore yesterday.

“To come so far in one season and to do a complete 360 (is amazing),’’ Creedy said after the race.

“I’ve doubted myself, I’ve thought about not coming back next season but it just makes it all worthwhile. To be honest, I just can’t believe it.

“I just want to say a massive thank you to my husband and my handler and my partner Rhett Collie, he’s been amazing through it all.

“He’s the one that kicks me in the a*** when I’m negative and he keeps me wanting to come back and keeps me in that state of mind to believe in myself.’’

A former Australian swimming representative, Creedy mastered the tricky conditions at Maroochydore to reach the turning can in the final swim leg ahead of the field.

Northcliffe's Rebecca Creedy celebrates winning the ironwoman final at the Australian surf lifesaving titles at Maroochydore on April 24, 2016. Credit: HARVPIX

“I actually thought I’d gone too far south and I couldn’t see any of the girls and I was just trying to sit in that rip and let it do the work,’’ said Creedy, who entered the final swim leg behind surf race winner Miller, Nutri-Grain series winner Jordan Mercer, Queensland ironwoman champion Harriet Brown and young gun Smith, the female competitor of the carnival.

“I got to the can and no one else was there and I just thought: ‘Don’t stuff this up’.’’

Creedy didn’t, using great surf skills to take a wave from the break zone through a gutter and to the shore, with Miller right on her heels after catching another wave behind her.

“I didn’t feel like I was at my best today and I didn’t know if I was capable of actually pulling out a win,’’ she said.

“To walk away with something like that is really emotional.

“I’ve been through a massive rollercoaster of ups and downs this season and way, way, way more downs than ups.

“It’s moments like that you really start to doubt yourself and it’s all up to my husband Rhett Collie who I’ve done a lot of training with over the last two months since the series.

“He’s really pulled me out of that hole and really helped me to believe in myself even in those darkest days.

“To go out there and get this win today really means so much and I guess it keeps that desire burning for next year and hopefully I’ll be back.’’

In other strong results for the Gold Coast, Currumbin Hunters won the women’s surf boat race, Currumbin’s Hayden White won the board final, North Burleigh’s Nicholas Crilly won the ski and Burleigh did the double in the belt race with Ben Carberry and Devon Halligan both winning gold.