After nine minutes of intense battle, it all came down to a 15 second dash for the cash as Bondy Joe Collins pocketed a $10,000 winner’s cheque in his first race win in almost a year.
Unable to run in the lead up October’s Coolangatta Gold due to a calf tear, Northcliffe surf lifesaver Collins proved he was back to his blistering best in last Saturday’s Shaw and Partners Hayden Kenny Classic on the Sunshine Coast, taking victory against a world class field in the open ironman.
Fellow Bull Sharks Jasmine Rayward and Cyra Bender also shone at the event which provided a timely boost of confidence before the second round of the Shaw and Partners Iron Series in Newcastle this weekend.
Collins made the perfect start with a dominant opening ski leg, hitting the first can in front before masterfully navigating the north-easterly swells to extend his lead.
“I maxed out the first 20 strokes to get to the lead,” Collins said.
Collins led the field through the swim leg before reigning Shaw and Partners Iron Series champion Conner Maggs made the most of the fickle conditions to body surf to the lead.
But Collins wasn’t going away, going to work in the final board leg to claw away at Maggs’ lead, before a swell brought him and Newport’s Jackson Borg up level with the race leader as they hit the beach – to set up a thrilling three-way sprint to the finish line.
Collins didn’t look back as he streaked away from his rivals, raising his arms in elation as he crossed the line.
“It’s my first win since Newcastle last year, so it’s been a long time between drinks,” Collins said.
Rayward also topped the podium when she teamed up with younger sister Bianca and rising star Dakota Luke to dominate the open women’s ski relay for Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park.
“I feel like there is more pressure in the teams event because you want to perform for your teammates, but I prefer that,” Rayward said.