Underdog race winner a genuine chance of winning Nutri-Grain ironwoman series

Maddy Dunn may be less well known than some of her Northcliffe teammates but she is just as much a chance for the Nutri-Grain title.

Maddy Dunn may be less well known than some of her Northcliffe teammates but she is just as much a chance for the Nutri-Grain title.

Dunn led an all-Northcliffe podium in the opening round of the series after beating clubmates Georgia Miller and Harriet Brown to the line.

As Coolangatta Gold champion and former series winner, the latter pair, along with Courtney Hancock, are among the highest-profile women on the circuit, let alone at their club.

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Round 1 winner Maddy Dunn is congratulated by fellow ironwoman Lizzie Welborn. Photo: Shane Myers

But Northcliffe coach Naomi Flood said it would be folly to count Dunn out.

“Kicking it off with a win in the first round should give her great confidence,” Flood said.

“It was really tricky and testing conditions (at Queenscliff) and Maddy’s shown time and again, she wins in surf, she loves the surf, she has really good surf skills, so that’s her bread and butter.

“Is she a contender? Absolutely. She’s pretty modest and she’s pretty low-key about the whole thing.

“Going in, Georgia (Miller), Harriet (Brown), (defending Nutri-Grain champ) Brielle (Cooper) and Jordy (Mercer) coming off the World Ironman Series win, everyone was looking at them as the ones to watch.

“Maddy wasn’t really thought about, so going in as an underdog was good for her.”

The win broke a three-year drought for Dunn — who turns 24 in just under a fortnight — but capitalising on her hot streak will now be key.

With the points heavily weighted towards the top three finishers, consistency is important for Sunshine Coast product Dunn, who will return to her home region for Round 2 at Coolum next month.

Round1 winner Maddy Dunn (centre) is flanked by clubmates Georgia Miller (right) and Harriet Brown (left), who finished second and third, respectively in an all Northcliffe podium at Queenscliff. Photo: Shane Myers

And while the series is packed with talent, her greatest threat could come from within her own training group.

“They all have to fight for their position in team events, let alone in the ironwoman,” Flood said.

“The girls are all going really well and are all positive which is making for a successful and efficient environment.”

Miller joined Northcliffe in the off-season, making for even more competition each day in training, something Dunn said was part of the secret to her success.

“We’re all friends outside of training but when you’re out there and you’re training against each other, you’ve got to act like you’re racing,” Dunn said. “That’s how you get somewhere.”

Coach Naomi Flood (centre) with her Northcliffe ironwomen (from left) Maddy Dunn, Courtney Hancock, Danielle McKenzie and Harriet Brown. Picture Glenn Hampson

Miller is also thriving in the atmosphere and was thrilled with her second placing on Saturday just a fortnight after her gruelling Coolangatta Gold victory.

“I’m training with people I look up to every single day, so it’s pretty amazing,” Miller said. “Floody’s such an amazing coach and she’s been incredible (since I’ve moved).”