Fourteen athletes from across Victoria had the chance of a lifetime to compete in the Surf Life Saving Australia Super Surf Teams League, raising the curtain for the iconic Kelloggs Nutri Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series at North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club this weekend.
For the first time ever, Victoria fielded two teams in the event, Victoria Blues and Victoria White, who battled it out against teams from New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia over three days of competition.
Unfortunately, water events were cancelled on day three due to a tsunami warning, but Victoria was still able to put in two days of solid competition in the water and three days on the sand.
“I’m very proud of our Victorian athletes for their solid competition efforts in the Super Surf Teams League,” said team manager Sonia Kinsey.
“Although it is disappointing that day three had to be cancelled, this competition was a valuable experience, allowing LSV to bring our younger competitors interstate to race against top quality athletes from across the nation.
“We look forward to continuing to compete at more interstate events in the future. Thank you to everyone who supports our athletes and sport.”
As well as raising the curtain for the iconic Kelloggs Nutri Grain Series, the Super Surf Teams League also featured the Ocean Relay, which is one of the events SLSA will take to the International Olympic Committee as they bid for lifesaving sports to be a part of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
LSV director aquatic sport Aaron Green said it is an exciting time to be involved in lifesaving sports and that LSV will continue to encourage increased opportunities to compete at the highest level.
“Life Saving Victoria is incredibly proud of our athletes for their enormous efforts at the SLSA Super Surf Teams League,” he said.
“To make one of the teams is an achievement in itself, so to see our Victorian competitors coming away with top three finishes in the water and on the sand is fantastic, especially after such a disruptive two years for our athletes with COVID-19 lockdown impacts.
“It is incredible to think that in ten years’ time, we could be seeing Victorian athletes lining up for board, surf, ski and sprint races like they were at North Bondi this weekend for an Olympic gold medal.
“We thank our athletes for their outstanding efforts and attitudes over the weekend, their clubs and families for their support as they excel in their chosen sports.
“A special mention and thanks must also go to Sonia Kinsey and Cliff Goulding who were the respective Victorian team manager and head coach for the competition, and to Engine Swim, the supporting partner of the Victorian state team.”
Each event saw points accrued for the teams, with Victoria Blues finishing in 10th and Victoria White finishing 12th at the event’s conclusion.
To view the full photo album from the event, head to LSV’s Facebook page.
Results:
| Friday 14 January – round one
Men’s beach sprint – B final Men’s surf race: Men’s board race: Women’s board race: Women’s beach flags – A final Overall result – round one: Saturday 15 January – round two Men’s beach flags – B final Women’s beach flags – A final Women’s board race Overall result – round two: Sunday 16 January – round three Men’s beach sprint – B final Men’s beach flags – A final Overall competition results: 1st: South Coast Makos (Queensland) |
Women’s ski race:
Women’s beach flags – B final
Mixed Ocean Relay:
Mixed beach relay – A final
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