Confidence gained from Coolangatta Gold win set to spur Georgia Miller on in Nutri-Grain ironwoman series

COOLANGATTA Gold winner Georgia Miller says her victory in the iconic race can be a catalyst for a tilt at a maiden Nutri-Grain series title.

COOLANGATTA Gold winner Georgia Miller says her victory in the iconic race can be a catalyst for a tilt at a maiden Nutri-Grain series title.

But Miller will have to be on song throughout the summer given she will miss the Surfers Paradise round next February to attend her sister’s wedding.

Athletes’ five best results in the six-round series will count towards their overall tally for the season but with Miller missing the penultimate event, every result will count, including the opening race at Queenscliff, in Sydney, just a fortnight after the Gold.

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2018 Elite Female Long Course Coolangatta Gold Winner, Georgia Miller. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I’m missing the Surfers Paradise round — the one time I’m living on the Gold Coast and I’m missing the Surfers Paradise round,” said Miller, who moved from Sydney in the off-season with boyfriend Riley Fitzsimmons a kayaker who will be based her ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

“But it’s my sister’s wedding and I wouldn’t miss that.

“I think after (the Gold), it’s given me a lot of confidence and I now know that I have the fitness.

“But Queenscliff will be a bit hit and miss, it could go really well, it could go horribly — I don’t know how it’s going to go.”

The 22-year-old finished third overall in last year’s series despite having surgery during the season.

“I was third overall last year which was incredible, I really didn’t think I’d place top three, especially after a few mishaps,” she said.

“I had surgery mid-season and I really wasn’t expecting that.

Ironwoman Georgia Miller by Luke Marsden

“So this year, it’s going to be a really big challenge.

“I’m missing a round, so it’s going to be tough and hopefully in the other rounds I can do well to stay up there.”

Miller has linked with coach Naomi Flood at Northcliffe, with her former Manly clubmate backing her to perform despite a packed front end of the season which includes representing Australia and her club at the world titles next month.

“This race just sets you up for a great season because you do so much training, you do such a big base work, you get fit and comfortable on your craft and that just holds you in really good stead,” Flood said.

Miller and fellow Northcliffe clubbie Danielle McKenzie are the only athletes completing the Gold, Nutri-Grain series and world titles for their country as well as their clubs.

“It is such a jam packed front end of the season with the Gold straight into the (Ocean6 series) rounds and then I’ll be down in Adelaide for almost three weeks with the Australian team and the Northcliffe team.

Georgia Miller will use the confidence gained from her Coolangatta Gold win to launch her Nutri-Grain series bid. Photo by Richard Gosling

“But it’s such a privilege to be in the Aussie team and there’s only six of us girls, so it’s pretty special.

“It’s a challenge but you’ve also got to be really careful and listen to your body.

“It’s a huge challenge but I think I’m ready to take it on.”