A Sunshine Coast athlete is relishing a “fairytale” end to the season, after claiming a prized title at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.
Tiarnee Massie won the Ironwoman crown, to go with her Ironwoman Series victory in early February, to cap her rise to the top of the sport.
The Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club member finished ahead of Lily O’Sullivan (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park) and Gemma Smith-Welch (Northcliffe) on the Gold Coast.
She said she had achieved “a childhood dream”.
“I won the Iron Series about a month ago and I never really thought anything could get better than that,” she said.
“It is a fairytale end of the season.”
Massie had some back luck to start her summer but bounced back to claim the Iron Series-Aussies double.
“At the start of the season I set huge goals for myself, and I had that huge setback in the (Coolangatta) Gold with my paddle snapping at the beginning of the race.”
“From there, I said to myself I can’t lose anything by dreaming big and going absolutely after it.”
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She thanked those closest to her.
“I would not be the person or athlete I am without my family. They are my rock, my backbone to everything I am and every fall they lift me back up.”
Nineteen-year-old Ethan Callaghan (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park) won the Ironman title, while Northcliffe was the best-performing club.
But Sunshine Coast clubs and athletes had plenty of success at the carnival.
Among the highlights, Alexandra Headland won the under-17 female Taplin and the open mixed Taplin, Stanley Jarrott (Maroochydore) won the under-17 male surf race and under-17 2km ocean swim, Zoe Woods (Alexandra Headland) won the under-19 female surf race.
Ava O’Connell (Alexandra Headland) won the under-17 female beach sprint and Amelie Green (Noosa Heads) won the under-17 female beach flags.
There was also plenty of success within the Masters divisions last week, when competitors were greeted by a large and powerful swell.
Among those to conquer the conditions were the Dicky Beach Flasbacks, who won the 200 years minimum male surf boat final.
Sweep Rob Flood posted a video to social media, showing how hard the crew worked to earn victory.
Alison Pegg (Noosa Heads) won the 60+ years women’s Iron event and Rodney Taylor (Mooloolaba) won the 70-64 years Ironman.
For all results, click here.
