Young gun Mitchell Coombes one to watch in Nutri-Grain ironman series

MITCHELL Coombes got more than he bargained for when he stood up against the “big boys” of ironman racing in the opening round of the Nutri-Grain series.

HE came for the experience but Mitchell Coombes got more than he bargained for when he stood up against the “big boys” of ironman racing in the opening round of the Nutri-Grain series.

Coombes has long been pegged as a rising star of the sport and claimed the under-19 ironman title at the Aussies in Perth earlier this year. But his showing at the opening round of the Ocean6 series at Queenscliff, in Sydney, at the weekend, was outstanding.

Coombes progressed through Friday’s heats and repechage to claim his place in the 20-man final before surviving the first two races under the eliminator format to make the eight-man final.

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Mitchell Coombes competing in the ironman final at Round 1 of the Ocean6/Nutrigrain Series at Queenscliff, NSW. Photo: Shane Myers

“It was my first real hitout against the big boys since last season,” the 18-year-old Northcliffe clubbie said.

“Coming into it, I didn’t have any expectations because I was an under-19 competitor and there’s no pressure put on me because I’m racing up. Eighth in that sort of race is fantastic, I couldn’t have asked for anything else, I was happy just getting through the first round.

“Then I made it through the second round and I was (thinking), just get through this the best I can.

“Eighth is ridiculous. If I get the opportunity to race in a final like that again, I’ll definitely give it my best shot but those higher placings are always on my mind.”

Part of a Northcliffe training group that includes nine-time series champion Shannon Eckstein, Coombes said he could not help but thrive.

“Down at Northcliffe, we’ve got a really good crew,” he said.

Mitchell Coombes after winning the under-19 ironman title at the Australian Surf Lifesaving Titles in WA. Picture: HARVPIX.COM

“We’ve just had Luke Cuff move over from Mermaid and we’ve got a strong group there of age groupers and open racers.

“With Shannon and Cory Taylor, Luke Cuff, they’re always pushing us at training, so that’s what you’ve got to look at.

“Northcliffe is such a strong, family club, we all train together, so it’s great to get the advice from those guys.”