Alexandra Headland Surf Club coach Jack Hansen expects reigning Ironwoman Series champion Lana Rogers to thrive in relatively benign conditions at Kingscliff this weekend.
The first three rounds of the six-round series will be contested on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, after the start of the elite campaign was postponed twice due to COVID-19.
All rounds will be live on free to air TV from Midday-2pm, with rounds 1-4 broadcast on 9GO!
The 20-strong men’s and women’s fields are set to compete in only small surf, which will make it a test of speed and stamina.
And that should suit 24-year-old Rogers.
“Lana races at the front and at speed,” Hansen said.
“Not having waves come into play is a factor.
“Waves can be a big factor in races but when it is small surf it all comes down to speed and ability and what you can do in the water, instead of luck.
“That will certainly suit our crew, that the small surf won’t play as much of a factor in result.”
Rogers won last summer’s series in strong fashion.
She is also the reigning Coolangatta Gold champion and a former Australian ironwoman champion, who switched from Noosa Heads to Alexandra Headland during the off-season.
“Lana is ready to go (for the opening rounds),” Hansen said.
“It’s always difficult being a defending champion and wanting to go out and repeat the glory and the good things you achieved in the season prior but I’m sure Lana is in the right place and space to be able to do it.”
Tough opening expected
Alexandra Headland boasts several series competitors, including Tiarrn Raymond, Emma Woods and Tayla Halliday. The latter two are in their maiden series. Cooper Williams will compete in the men’s field. Noosa Heads will be represented by Electra Outram and Maroochydore will have Tiarrnie Massie.
Hansen said his charges have prepared well, despite the round postponements and some uncertainty around the series.
“I think they’ll race extremely well.”
“We’re getting used to it (changes to the schedule). The state and Aussie championships didn’t happen early last year and then the start of series was postponed. That’s the way of the world now and we’re starting to learn to deal with that and getting better with that all the time.”
Many of the series’ athletes haven’t raced much in the past year, with some competing only one or two recent carnivals.
So, Hansen expected them to be tested during the opening rounds of the series, when they have to race three times in three days.
“It’ll be tough,” he said.
“It will be hard, and it will affect some athletes more than others. It will depend on the amount of work you’ve done.
“Those who have got in and done the hard work will probably reap the rewards.”
The first three rounds will include enduro surf, survival and super sprint formats.
Hansen said competitors should get a good gauge in the tough opening round.
Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman and Ironwoman Series schedule.
All rounds will be live on free to air TV from Midday-2pm, with rounds 1-4 broadcast on 9GO! and rounds 5-6 LIVE on Channel 9.
2021 Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series dates are as follows:
Round 1 – 12 February – Kingscliff – Channel 9GO! Midday-2pm
Round 2 – 13 February – Kingscliff – Channel 9GO! Midday-2pm
Round 3 – 14 February – Kingscliff – Channel 9GO! Midday-2pm
Round 4 – 26 February – Kingscliff – Channel 9GO! Midday-2pm
Round 5 – 27 February – Kingscliff – Channel 9 Midday-2pm
Round 6 – 28 February – Kingscliff – Channel 9 Midday-2pm
