Hugh Dougherty And Courtney Hancock Triumphant In Jacob’s Memory
Surf Life Saving Australia, September 30, 2013: Coolangatta Gold aspirants Hugh Dougherty and Courtney Hancock have produced eye-catching performances to capture their respective 4-kilometre titles at the annual Jacob Lollback Memorial Board Race Day at Yamba.
It was the fourth anniversary of the tragic passing of one of Australia’s finest young lifesavers who lost his life off Gladstone in a diving accident in 2009.
Over 200 paddlers gathered at Yamba to celebrate the life and times of Jacob, one of the most naturally gifted young paddlers and ironmen to grace our waves.
Event organiser and Jacob’s coach and mentor, Jim Dougherty said: “It was a great day’s racing and socialising in memory of Jacob with 205 paddlers lining up in the various age groups with very strong representation from Gold Coast clubs Northcliffe, Surfers Paradise, Kurrawa, Burleigh Heads, Currumbin and Tugun.
“In the open men’s we had 53 starters and in the open women’s there were 18 starters with half of them in the Nutri Grain series.
“Thanks to all the competitors and the clubs who continue to support this day in Jacob’s memory and to everyone at Yamba for making this day so special.”
Hugh Dougherty, who has retired from the Nutri-Grain Series, will have a serious attempt at the Schick-Hydro Coolangatta Gold (October 19/20) as will women’s race winner and 2011 winner Courtney Hancock.
It the men’s event it was Dougherty who greeted the judge ahead of 2013 Australian Ironman runner-up Tanyn Lyndon (Northcliffe) and former winner, ever-green Wes Berg (Burleigh Heads) with Hancock proving too strong for Jordan Mercer (Noosa) and another Gold entrant Tara Coleman (North Burleigh) in the women’s.
Mercer capped a great day by winning the Under 19 2km race and the Dash for Cash with Lyndon also taking the men’s Dash.
It was also a good day for Zac Orchard from Surfers Paradise. The son of the club’s legendary paddler Dave “Orchy” Orchard won the U19 2km and the Dash with Georgina McDermott from Mooloolaba taking the U17 double.
Issued on behalf of Surf Life Saving Australia...
Ian Hanson
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