ALLIRA RICHARDSON - IRONWOMAN BY NAME AND BY NATURE

Sunshine Coast, January 14: They don't come much tougher than Sunshine Coast's Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Allira Richardson, who has spent her Christmas-New Year break nursing a painful rotator cuff injury.

The 22-year-old is quickly becoming an Ironwoman by name and by nature.

Richardson has been appointed captain of the North Queensland Citizen Lightning for the up-coming 2009 Series but won't let the niggling injury stop her from leading her team into battle in this weekend's opening rounds at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast.

The $200,000 Series will kick off with round one this Saturday and round two on Sunday, with Channel Seven televising Round One on Sunday afternoon.

The tricky Coolum conditions on the Sunshine Coast will be the selected venue again for rounds three and four on February 7 and 8 with the final at Sydney's ‘Ironman Dome' at Coogee on Sunday, February 22 to be televised live.

Richardson withdrew from the recent Queensland Ocean Assault Series to concentrate on the national professional series.

"After having time off over the Christmas-New Year break I had tests done on my shoulder just to be on the safe side," said Richardson.

"It is inflamed not only around the rotator cuff from the injury but from wear and tear and I'm on anti-inflammatory tablets to help settle it down until end of the season."

Richardson will lead a Citizen Lightning team that includes Ironman legend, 39-year-old Dean Mercer and surf lifesaving's siblings Corey and Chloe Jones and Dylan and Gemma Newbiggen.

And Richardson is proud to be leading the Citizen Lightning in what is shaping as the most competitive series on record.

"When I was told I was captain I was so rapt," said Richardson.

"When you're little and you see the captains of the teams you look up to them like your hero, it's such an honour.

"I was so overwhelmed but very excited, I can't wait to race this weekend."

Richardson is also honoured to have Mercer in her team, for his last hurrah.

"Having someone with all Dean's knowledge in the Lightning team is a big plus; I'm sure it will benefit us," she said.

"It's always good to have a senior competitor to share his experiences, especially since this is his last year in the Kellogg's Series; I'm sure he will want to go out with a good performance."

The all-star Gold Coast-based Telstra Southern Queensland Sunfish will again start favourites to win the overall Teams title with Zane Holmes, Shannon Eckstein and Elizabeth Pluimers leading the charge.

Australian Ironwoman champion Alicia Marriott will spearhead the Jeep Western Waves and her showdown with Pluimers, Naomi Flood and Courtney Hancock (Inner Health Plus Northern NSW Hammers) and Citizen Lightning trio of Richardson, Jones and Newbiggen will highlight the opening rounds.