NOWRA-CULBURRA’S Kirsty Higgison capped off a stellar first year competing in the Nutri-Grain IronWoman Series, finishing second overall on 98 points, behind only series champion Jordan Mercer on 109.
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In rough conditions at North Cronulla Beach, series debutante Higgison executed an awesome performance in round five, putting her in equal first position for the series with Mercer heading in to the final round, after her first placed finish.
Higgison established her dominance in the first ski leg of the race and put in the work to establish a strong lead over the course of the action-packed two rounds of the loop format race.
“I love a bit of carnage and it’s so full on you never know who’s going to be in the lead,” she said.
“It’s always chopping and changing and you just have to focus on yourself.”.
But her perfect debut season wasn’t meant to be, as she finished eighth in the season finale, as Mercer won the race, therefore seeing her claim the series.
Mercer - daughter of six-time series’ legend Darren Mercer – stamped her name in the history books, in a superior performance in the eliminator race’s three rounds.
“I never race with anything less than my best and to come out on top I thought, ‘yeah I’ve got what it takes, I can get the job done’,” said Mercer.
“The morning of the race, someone special told me that the name Mercer on the back of my togs is ‘just my mum and dad’, and for me my mum and dad just means love so I raced with a clear mind.”
“It’s so incredible.
“I truly believe I put in so much to achieve this and it doesn’t always work out so perfectly but today it has for me.”
Higgison, who was disappointingly knocked-out in the second round of day’s eliminator, still exhibited an extraordinary maiden season of racing to claim the series’ second placing.
“I could not be happier, it’s been such a massive season and to come away with three wins is unbelievable,” she said.
“I’m speechless, honestly it’s the best thing ever,.
“I couldn’t be happier for Jordy, as she deserves it so much.
“She’s been working so hard for so long, she’s earnt it and to say that I’m second, with Jordy is just so special.”
The weekend also saw Shannon Eckstein crowned the ‘greatest ever Ironman’ with his ninth series win.