CREEDY AND DRURY TOP KELLOGG'S NUTRI-GRAIN TRIALS AT TUGUN
December 6: Commonwealth Games swimming gold medallist Rebecca Creedy has stamped herself as an Ironwoman of the future after winning the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series Trial at Tugun today.
The 26-year-old, who won gold alongside Susie O'Neill, Sarah Ryan and Lori Munz in the 4x100m freestyle relay in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, now has the likes of defending champion Naomi Flood, Kristyl Smith and Alicia Marriott in her sights.
Creedy finished with a first, a second and a seventh from the three rounds to finish on 113 points, one point ahead of three-time nib Coolangatta Gold winner Hayley Bateup (112) and today's third round winner Flora Manciet (Northcliffe).
The top 11 on the pointscore qualified to join the first six from last year for the $250,000 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Series which kicks off at Kurrawa on January 16 and 17.
And Creedy, who had a taste of the Series in 2009, wants to stamp herself as a real contender for 2010.
"I came here determined to make a name for myself after putting in a lot of effort in the off season and for the first time I am confident about my ability as an ironwoman," said Creedy.
"I feel like I have finally made the transition from a swimmer and I can't wait to get in and race the best girls in the Series.
"I finished last in the first two rounds of the Series last year so I am proud of where I have come from that's for sure."
Today's third round men's final saw Beijing Olympian Ky Hurst continue on his winning ways to take out the second of his two finals over the weekend to assure himself of a place in the main draw.
But it was 2007 Coolangatta Gold winner Rhys Drury, at 32, who shaded Hurst by a point over the three rounds, 116 to 115 with Tugun's surprise packet Sam Hamilton (110) in third place.
Hurst, Drury and Hamilton will now do battle with the big guns of Surf Sports, defending champion Shannon Eckstein, Zane Holmes , Matt Poole, Nathan Smith and Pierce Leonard in what is shaping up to be the most intriguing men's Series for many years.
"I will need a full month's training to ensure I'll be ready for the first round and even then I could well find myself a bit short," said Hurst.
"I made a few mistakes in the second round yesterday because I was getting tired and I know I have a lot of work to do between now and the opening rounds.
"But I an excited to be back and inspired by people like Dean Mercer and Rhys Drury. If Deano can do what he's doing at 40, then I've got nothing to complain about at 28."
Surf Life Saving Australia selectors will decide on the first two wildcards during the week with Mercer withdrawing from today's round with a torn calf muscle and Wes Berg, suffered glandular fever, both applying for the men's wildcard position.
North Burleigh's James Stewart, who is coached by Berg, will also be in the wildcard hunt after missing out on 11th place after tying with Manly's Jono Stock.
The women's wildcard options will lie with Kurrawa's Jasmin Kelly, who was fourth in this year's Coolangatta Gold and contested the Dubai Ski race last week as well as the 12th and 13th and 14th placed in the weekend's overall pointscore, Madison Boon (Kurrawa), Tara Coleman (Maroubra) and Chloe Jones (Metropolitan Caloundra).