Ali Day has surged clear at the top of the Australian Ironman series after a dominant fourth round victory at Currumbin.
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The Kiama product, competing for Surfers Paradise, started the new year with a narrow lead in the Ocean 6 competition after finishing second in the eliminator round final at North Wollongong last month.
And his stunning recent form continued on Saturday, crossing the line almost 500 metres clear of his nearest rival, who was Shannon Eckstein on the comeback trail from injury.
“I’m so happy,” Day said.
“It just went perfectly for me today even in these rough conditions.
“I worked really hard in the spots that mattered and took my time where I could.
“There is still a long way to go and you need to win races to win the Series and I was so close last year, so I just want to keep the momentum going.”
Day claimed the world surf lifesaving title in Adelaide last year as well as a record sixth Coolangatta Gold, his achievements earning the Illawarra Mercury’s Sportsperson Of The Year honour.
However, there are still two rounds remaining in the Ocean 6 Ironman series, at Surfers Paradise on February 1-2 and at Wanda Beach on February 22-23.
Warilla-Barrack Point’s Ben Carberry was also impressive in the Ironman race, finishing fourth, the same position he sits in the overall competition.
Meanwhile, Nowra’s Kirsty Higgison is third overall after finishing second in Saturday’s round at Currumbin.
OCEAN 6 IRONMAN SERIES
Overall standings
Men: Ali Day (Surfers Paradise) 337, Kendrick Louis (Manly) 282, Matt Poole 282 (Kurrawa), Ben Carberry (Currumbin Beach) 252, James Lacy (Mermaid Beach) 249, Cory Taylor (Northcliffe) 239, Matt Bevilacqua (Kurrawa) 238, Jackson Maynard (Currumbin Beach) 217, Max Brooks (Newport) 214, TJ Hendy (Surfers Paradise) 207.
Women: Georgia Miller (Northcliffe) 303, Maddy Dunn (Northcliffe) 292, Kirsty Higgison (Surfers Paradise) 269, Lana Rogers (Noosa Heads) 247, Brielle Cooper (Kurrawa) 233, Danielle McKenzie (Northcliffe) 232, Courtney Hancock (Northcliffe) 229, Hannah Sculley (Northcliffe) 229, Jemma Smith (Umina) 213, Lizzie Welborn (North Bondi) 193.
