Everyone's Wild About Emma

Surf Life Saving Australia, September 20, 2013: Onjuku, Japan: Gold Coast teenager Emma Dick has celebrated her elevation into this year's Kellogg's Ironwoman Series with two impressive victories in Japan today.

The reigning Under 19 Australian Ironwoman champion was one of two Ironwomen to receive wildcards on Friday following last weekend's official Trials at Salt Beach, Kingscliff.

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The Mermaid Beach youngster, upset at missing one of four automatic spots, will be joined by second wildcard Bulli's Hannah Minogue.

There was no stopping Dick today when she hit the water in Onjuku beach two hours south- east of Tokyo, for the second Test match against New Zealand

Within a matter of minutes she chalked up impressive wins in the Youth Ocean Woman before backing up to win the Youth surf race - repeating her victories from the first Test.

The surf race was swum together with the Open's and she was only beaten by one other competitor - Australia's open swimmer Miranda Bell.

The shy youngster is also an outstanding runner and a key member of Australia's beach relay team.

"I was pretty stoked. It was amazing that I got the call up I honestly wasn't expecting it," said an excited Dick today.

"It gave me plenty of incentive to go out and win as many races as I could for the Australian Youth Team.

"I was determined to go out there and race hard.

"I actually found out from Jenna Harrod from Surf Lifesaving via Facebook.

"I did have a bad day on Sunday but I got over it and arrived into Japan wanting to do the best I could.

"It is going to be a very exciting summer and I love racing the older girls - I can't wait.

"My family and the whole surf club at Mermaid are all very excited."

Earlier today the Australian Open and Youth teams were serving up another surf Lifesaving lesson to the other six Nations at the International Surf Rescue Challenge, including reigning world open champions New Zealand.

Team captain Shannon Eckstein and his Northcliffe team mate Kristyl Smith backed up for their second Ocean Man and Ocean Woman victories to give the Australians a flying start against the Kiwis who went into today 's Test without their star female Devon Halligan.

Melissa Howard turned the tables on New Zealand's Chanel Hickman in the beach sprint before again winning the beach flags.

Dean Scarff won the men's open sprint for Australia defeating Paul Cracroft- Wilson who went in to win the men's flags.

Meanwhile Dev Lahey continued on his winning ways to lead an Aussie quinella in the men's open surf race with Tim Schofield second and New Zealand Olympian Andy McMillian third.

In the teams events it was Australia first -daylight second.

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The mixed board relay went to the all-star combination of Eckstein and Smith while the mixed ski relay saw Australia's world class duo of Lachlan Tame and London Olympic kayaker Naomi Flood assert their authority on the field with another ski paddling master class.

The men's Youth surf race saw Redhead's Isak Costello celebrate his 18th birthday with a win despite suffering a cut foot in the warm up.

Issued on behalf of Surf Life Saving Australia...

Ian Hanson

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