Champion ironwoman Courtney Hancock hits pause on career before Nutri-Grain surf series start

She made pink swimsuits almost as popular as Baywatch reds and inspired a generation of young girls to dream big. But now ironwoman Courtney Hancock is making an unexpected move.

Ironwoman champion Courtney Hancock is putting a pause on her Nutri-Grain iron career.

Around 5pm on Thursday Courtney Hancock made a call to a rising star of surf life saving she hopes both of then will remember forever.

The champion surf star, adored by fans for almost two decades, rang youngster Analise Kibble from the newport club on Sydney’s northenr beaches to tell her had just been elevated into the Nutri-Grain iron series for the first time.

“I wanted it to be really special,’’ said Hancock, who grew up as a Sawtell Nipper dreaming of being as good as the legendary Karla Gilbert, a woman she now counts as a close friend.

“It was so special for me, one of the best days of my life making my first series.

“Looking back I find it amazing how determined I was and fearless. My younger self now inspires me to be bold and brave.’’

Ironwoman champion Courtney Hancock is a multiple winner of the Coolangatta Gold and Nutri-Grain iron series.

And that’s what Hancock has been in deciding to step away from the series she was going to line up in for the 19th time in Sydney next week.

“I haven’t lost the love for it and my body feels amazing and so does my mind. That’s why this has been such a hard decision to make. Not to do it,’’ she said.

Hancock won’t commit to retirement because she plans to return to the surf to compete in at least another Coolangatta Gold - the race she has already won four times.

The Gold Coast ironwoman during last year's qualifiers. Picture: HarvPix

Courtney Hancock has been racing at the elite end of the sport for almost two decade.

But she wants to invest in others parts of her life - investigating small business ideas, expanding her coaching, concentrating on her recent marriage and starting a family one day.

“I feel like I’ve been thinking about his a long time as I move into my 19th season,’’ Hancock, 35, said.

“I want to write some new stories in my life and hopefully that involves a family because family is very important to us. I do want to be a mum one day.

“But I don’t want to completely close the door because I do want to come back and do the Coolangatta Gold again

Courtney Hancock and Nick Buchanan before their marriage this year.

On their wedding day. Picture: Alex Marks Photography

“It’s a career pause and sidestep. It’s the right time to tick off some new challenges.’’

Hancock, who competed in the series as a teenager with sister Bonnie, said one of the greatest moment of her stories career was winning her first series back in 2010/11

“I remember saying this has been my dream since I was a little girl rushing out of the water to watch Karla (Gilbert) and the others, wanting to be like them. That anything else after this win is a bonus.

“I think six months later I was still in shock from winning.’’

Hancock also went on to win two Australian ironwoman crowns and finished ninth in the last Nutri-Grain ironwoman series.

The 2023/2024 series kicks off at Manly beach on December 16 and 17.

Originally published as Champion ironwoman Courtney Hancock hits pause on career before Nutri-Grain surf series start