A Sunshine Coast surf life saver is celebrating a dream come true after winning her first Iron Series title.
Tiarnee Massie finished atop the women’s standings in the annual summer competition on the Gold Coast on Sunday, when legend and ex-Sunshine Coast Ironman Ali Day finished his career with a bang.
Massie, 24, expressed her delight.
“I’m just so grateful,” she said.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was four years old, and there’s been so many times when I was like ‘I don’t know if it’s possible’,” she said.
“But it’s only possible because of the people around me. I’m so lucky to have the most amazing family, friends and supporters. I would not be here without them and I’m just so glad that we’ve done it together,” she said.
The Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club member said she was motivated to win the series after she finished in second place last season.
“It’s driven me a lot,” she said.
“I finished last year and it really hurt getting so close, being out on my own in the ski and then getting hit by a wave.”
“Every single tough session I’ve done this year I’ve been thinking back to that moment and how much it hurt and how much I wanted to finally achieve my dream this year, so that was certainly my fuel.”
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The series was contested over seven rounds. Massie secured her maiden round win in round six at Miami on the Gold Coast on Saturday, when Mooloolaba’s Dom Stitt and Alexandra Headland’s Emma Woods ensured an all-Sunshine Coast podium.
Massie then claimed the title in the final round at the same location on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Day had a fairytale finish to his illustrious career, claiming his sixth and final Iron Series title.
The 35-year-old announced late last year that he would step away from the sport at the end of the season.
“No one gets that (fairytale finish). I’ve followed sport all my life and to be in a position to have a chance to win it was special,” he said.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I wish I could bottle that feeling of what that was like, coming in (to the finish line).
“I’m a legacy sort of guy so I was happy with five but six has got a nice ring to it.”
Day was once among a crop of stars at Mooloolaba SLSC, before he moved to the Gold Coast and linked with Surfers Paradise SLSC.
Day is also an 11-time Coolangatta Gold champion, four-time national Ironman champion and 2018 world Ironman champion.
