KRISTYL SHINES AS MATT POOLES HIS IRON MAN TALENT
SYDNEY, November 29: A re-vitalised Kristyl Smith and a re-born Matt Poole have drawn first blood in the race to qualify for next year's $200,000 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Iron Man Series after round one action at Wanda Beach today.
Smith, the 2005 Australian Ironwoman champion left to go overseas 18 months ago, but returned in triumph to score a comfortable opening victory in the first of three trial races ahead of nib Coolangatta Gold stars Hayley Bateup and Courtney Hancock. Ian Hanson reports...
She dominated the 30 minute endurance event to assert her authority from the opening event as she chases one of 11 places left in the Series and her maiden Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Iron Man Series victory.
"It's in your blood, it's your passion, you miss it, so I decided to have another crack," said the Sydney-born Northcliffe based Smith.
"With Kristy Harris retired and Elizabeth Pluimers suffering from a back injury it opens up the possibility to win a Series - I've finished second and third too many times.
"This will be my tenth series - I've finished second on three occasions and third once so to come back and win one is the goal.
"I was a nipper at Wanda when I was 13 and 14 but I never gave myself a chance of ever coming back here to race."
A more concentrated swimming program under Northcliffe assistant coach and former champion Ironman Barry Newman has played a significant part in her early season fitness.
Smith, with brother Nathan in her corner throughout the 30-minute race, proved too strong for the ever present Bateup (Kurrawa, Qld) and
Hancock (Northcliffe, Qld) who were followed by the improved Flora Manciet (Northcliffe, Qld), Chelsea McKenzie (Burleigh Heads-Mowbray Park, Qld), Allira Richardson (Maroochydore, Qld), Brodie Moir (North Burleigh, Qld), former Commonwealth Games silver medallist Rebecca Creedy (Metropolitan Caloundra, Qld), Kirsten Ulmer (Northcliffe, Qld) and Bonnie Hancock (Northcliffe, Qld) who rounded out the top 11.
Already qualified for the 2009 women's Series are Pluimers, Alicia Marriott, Naomi Flood, Bianca Lee and Gemma Newbiggen.
In the men's event it was 20-year-old Poole who stormed home to win a very competitive men's opening qualifying round, after a season in the doldrums in 2007-08.
The 2007 Australian Junior Ironman champion with Sydney Northern Beaches club Queenscliff was a dominant figure throughout the endurance "M-shaped" course.
"Last season I was just turning up to make up the numbers, not thinking I could win a race," said Poole, who has made a further move north from Northcliffe to Mooloolaba on Sunshine Coast.
"I finished 17th in the last season's series and knew I had to turn things around."
A move to link up with leading surf sports coach, former Coolangatta Gold Ironman winner Michael King and a 30cm growth spurt has proved to be a winning ingredient for the 195cm Poole.
"The move to Michael has turned my career around and I've got my eyes back on the prize again, believing I can mix it with the big boys.
"Michael told me he would provide me total commitment if I gave him 100 percent focus and it has certainly turned me around - I am confident about racing and not just being a number."
Hot on Poole's heels were Cronulla's Allum brothers Christopher and Hayden who finished second and third respectively ahead of Corey Jones (Metropolitan Caloundra, Qld), Andrew Mosel (Cottesloe, WA), Jack Hansen (Mooloolaba, Qld), Dylan Newbiggen (Mooloolaba, Qld), Mark Simpson (Cronulla, NSW), Tim Peach (Mooloolaba, Qld) and Sam Hamilton (Tugun, Qld), making up the top 10.
The men are chasing 10 places left after Zane Holmes, Shannon Eckstein, Hugh Dougherty, Wes Berg, Pierce Leonard and Nathan Smith all sealed automatic qualification last season.
Ends..