Nutri-Grain ironman series 2022/23: Jackson Borg wins Rd 2, Matt Bevilacqua wins in Rd 1

After years of trying this ironman finally broke through for the biggest win of his career in round two of the Nutri-Grain series - and was promptly sick.

Delighted round two winner Jackson Borg. Pic: Supplied

Just a week out from Christmas and Jackson Borg has vowed to cut back on the food and festivities after reigniting his bid for success on the 2022/2023 Nutri-Grain ironman series.

The Newport ironman bounced back from a disappointing day out in the opening round of the Nutri-Grain series on Saturday to claim a maiden victory in the event less than 24 hours later in round two at Manly Beach.

The effort left the surf life saver bent over and sick on the beach and then speechless with delight at his unexpected success.

“I really don’t have words,’’ said Borg, who was said he was inspired to the win by his shock 14th on Saturday and the victory of Newport clubmate Lizzie Welborn in round one of the ironwoman racing.

“I’m just stoked. I really wanted this and gave it everything. I knew I was better than Saturday’s result and wanted to show that.’’

Delighted round two winner Jackson Borg. Pic: Supplied

The win pushed Borg right back in the mix for a series podium with the ironman returning to the sand for two more rounds at Maroubra in January.

“I might be eating a bit less over Christmas now,’’ Borg laughed.

Corey Fletcher (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park) finished second in the survival racing where six athletes were knocked out in the first two races, leaving a finals field of eight.

Ben Carberry, who also made the podium on Saturday, was third with round one winner Matt Bevilacqua fourth, Joe Collins fifth, Ali Day sixth, Cory Taylor seventh, Zack Morris eighth, Scott Thomas ninth and injury replacement Connor Maggs from Newport 10th.

Bevilacqua now leads the series overall from Carberry with the injured Ali Day third and Joe Collins fourth. Borg is in equal seventh place.

Matt Bevilacqua beating Ali Day in the opening round of the Nutri-Grain series.

HOW SUPER GLUE GOT ALI DAY TO NUTRI-GRAIN START

DEC 17: Maybe it was growing up training in Tasmania’s often frigid conditions that helped Matt Bevilacqua pull of a major win in the opening round of the Nutri-Grain ironman series at a windy, wild and chilly Manly beach on Saturday.

Or maybe it was his ability to harness every last ounce of energy to pip one of the legends of the sport for his first big win “for ages’’.

Whichever, former series champion Bevilacqua was more than a little happy to take a rare win off Ali Day, Australia’s greatest ironman currently racing and one of the all-time greats of surf life saving.

The pair went head-to-head in a thrilling sprint to the finish of the Enduro ski, swim and board race in round one of the ironman series with the Gold Coast based Bevilacqua just pipping the reigning Australian and Coolangatta Gold champion.

“That’s huge for me, huge to get the win,’’ said Bevilacqua, who finished ahead of pre-race favourite Day and Ben Carberry.

Matt Bevilacqua beating Ali Day in the opening round of the Nutri-Grain series.

“I was just so determined. To get any points over Ali is so important.’’

A squirt of super glue over a stitched up big toe got Day to the start line of the race but not onto the top step of the dais.

It was a rare loss for the surf star who hails from the NSW south coast but is now Queensland based.

Ali Day on his way to victory in the last professional ironman series.

“It’s the first in a while but I’ll happily take second,’’ he said.

“He (Bevilacqua) worked really hard the whole time. It’s awesome to see him do so well.

“It shows how competitive this series will be.

“This is going to make things interesting. No series victory comes without a fight.’’

Day slashed his foot open on his ski last week, requiring eight stitches in his big toes.

But the medical super glue started to wear off on Friday, with Day doing his own repairs so he could make it onto the start at Manly.

More from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Nutri-Grain ironman series 2022/23: Jackson Borg wins Rd 2, Matt Bevilacqua wins in Rd 1