Cross-country training helps Gallagher seal maiden Coolangatta Gold shortcourse title
HE overcame an array of obstacles but nothing could stop Thomas Gallagher from winning a maiden Coolangatta Gold title.
Surfing
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HE overcame a trip across the country, intermittent bouts of pancreatitis and cerebral palsy but nothing could stop Thomas Gallagher from winning a maiden Coolangatta Gold shortcourse title.
Perth-based Gallagher represents City of Perth but will move to the Gold Coast permanently in January in a bid to bolster his ironman career.
The 19-year-old has made frequent trips across the country to train with Currumbin and honed his preparations for the Gold with the Vikings where he will link with head coach Michael King early next year.
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A first-time competitor in the 21km event, Gallagher stuck with the leaders in the opening ski paddle before pushing his advantage in the swim.
“I knew if I had a good ski paddle I’d be up the front but you never know with surf at the end of the day,” Gallagher said.
“I just went into the front pack on the ski and worked the swim because you never know what’s going to happen on the board.
“I would say the swim (is my main strength).”
Gallagher was a convincing winner of the open division in his first time over the trip, crossing the line in 2hr 19min 29sec, ahead of Zak Van Dartel (2:27.50) and Chris Boult (2:28.01).
“I’ve been with City for five years but I’m transferring this season to Currumbin,” Gallagher said.
“I do most of my training over there and pop over here once or twice a year.
“It’s really good training with the group and Kingy (Michael King) is a good coach. The City coach is really good as well, I just need the move for the competition.
“I’m going to try and make a few rounds of the series and go from there.”
Gallagher suffers recurring pancreatitis that can land him in hospital but he was able to push through the 21km course without being bothered by the painful condition.
“I’ve got a couple of health issues - I’ve got pancreatitis, so I got hospitalised (occasionally) and I’ve got cerebral palsy as well,” Gallagher said.
“It affects it a bit but I’m lucky at the end of the day, there’s people with worse.”
New Zealander Joe Collins won the under-19 men’s division, his time of 2:19.28 a second faster than Gallagher’s winning mark.
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