BMD Northcliffe Ironwoman, Courtney Hancock, proved any of her doubters wrong when she took out the opening round of the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series at Surfers Paradise on the weekend. After claiming the overall series title last season without claiming a race victory, Courtney was quick to prove that she had deserved the crown.
BMD Northcliffe's, Kristyl Smith was the early leader with Courtney and clubmate, Elizabeth Pluimers mid-field after the opening board leg. Both Courtney and Elizabeth made up ground in the run and swim legs and were neck and neck in the final ski leg but Courtney had the goods edging away from Elizabeth in the closing stages. Kristyl Smith held on for 3rd place making it a BMD Northcliffe trifecta. BMD Northcliffe's, Harriet Brown, finished in 7th place with Kirsty Holmes in 15th and Bonnie Hancock in 17th.
In the mens race, BMD Northcliffe's Shannon Eckstein found himself in unfamiliar teritory turning the M shape board flag in equal last. Shannon clawed his way back to mid-field but it just wasn't his day, finishing 9th. Shannon's brother, Caine, was the eventual race winner on the day proving he is the enduro king. BMD Northcliffe's, Zane Holmes, ended up in 11th place with Cory Hill & Tanyn Lyndon finishing 14th & 15th respectively.
Round 2 heads to Portsea in Victoria which is reknown for dishing up big swells making for exciting racing in the 'Triple Sprint' format.
