Happy New Year!
We are back for the first weekend of the year for the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Torquay Jim Wall Classic presented by Mikro Coffee Roasters and Ghanda Clothing. The Jim Wall Iron event has been an iconic part of the Surf Coast lifesaving culture since ‘60s, in fact it’s the longest running iron event in the world.
The Wall family’s massive contribution to Torquay SLSC started in December 1945 at Jim Wall’s campsite, behind the surf beach sand dunes, when forming a surf club was proposed – within weeks the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club was founded on Jim Wall and Frank Murphy’s motion. Jim’s brother, Tom, became honorary secretary in 1947, serving 7 years in all and Jim was elected President in 1949, to continue for 13 years.
Under Jim’s leadership the Club took on many firsts, but of great significance was the staging of the Australian & International Surf Life Saving Championships in 1956, in conjunction with the Melbourne Olympic Games, viewed on the surf beach by about 70,000 spectators. Some of the Sports best athletes have won this historic event, and its always one that athletes want to take out.
Torquay has had an incredible Impact on the world. It’s the home and start of the Great ocean road, the surf industry was born here with brands like Rip curl quicksilver and Surf lifesaving. The Surf Coast is a beautiful sport rich with abundant locations to see within Torquay and surrounds coastal towns.
This Sunday the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Southern State Showdown Continues with 5,000 pts and a chance to engrave your name on the Jim wall classic trophy.
Each race is set to be fiercely competitive, and with the Southern States Showdown title heating up, this is an event where performances truly matter. A strong contingent of New South Wales and Queensland athletes are heading south, eager to test themselves against the very best the Southern States have to offer.
*** Some information for the day
we are looking forward to a great day on Sunday for the running of the Mikro Coffee Roasters Jim Wall Classic with a sold out field, 28 clubs represented, 2-3ft of swell, moderate southerly winds and a partly cloudy 20 degrees.
It's going to be a great day of racing in the world's longest running ironman event! To make the event an enjoyable day for everyone please ensure you are aware of the below important information and times:
• Registration is 7.00am to 8.30am to collect your event rashie. • Warm Up 7.30am - 8.30am. • Team Managers briefing at 8.30am under the finish arch • Marshalling 8.45am • Racing starts 9am • Remember your Live Heats wristband • U13 athletes will receive a Live Heats band free of charge if they don’t already have one • Any other athletes that require a Live Heats replacement wristband will be charged $10 replacement fee with your club invoiced • When collecting rashies, please be mindful of all competitors needs and select an appropriate size. If you are just doing ski races please take a larger size rashie. • All athletes must wear their club comp cap and Jim Wall Classic event rashie for all races. • No wetsuits for any age groups or any races. • Athletes must have handlers for each event wearing a comp cap and hi vis. Individual events will be heats to finals where required. • All team events will be straight finals. • All iron events will be straight finals in accordance with the Jim Wall tradition! • Order of all event finals will be u13, u15, u17,Open. • Iron order has been drawn and is swim, board, ski. Order of events is below with the heat listing to be released 8am Saturday. • Individual Heats • Individual Finals • Irons including the Mikro Coffee Roasters Jim Wall Iron Classic • Team Events • Ghanda Dash for Cash Swim ($250 male & female).
Live heats :
Programme
-
U13 Female / Male Swim - U17 Female / Male Swim
- U15 Female / Male Swim
- Open Female / Male Swim
- U13 Female Board
- U13 Male Board
- U17 Female Board
- U17 Male Board
- U15 Female Board
- U15 Male Board
- Open Female Board
- Open Male Board
13. U17 Female Ski
14. U17 Male Ski
15. Open Female Ski
16. Open Male Ski
17. U13 Female Iron
18. U13 Male Iron
19. U15 Female Iron
20. U15 Male Iron
21. U17 Female Iron
22. U17 Male Iron
*Team events will not count towards World Ocean Series points.
23. Open Male Iron – Jim Wall
24. Open Female – Jim Wal
25. Any Age (U17+) Mixed Ski Relay (3)*
26. U13/U15 Mixed Cameron Relay (4)*
27. U17/Open Mixed Taplin (4)*
BONUS: Male & Female GHANDA Dash for Cash Swim*
*Events will not count towards World Ocean Series points.
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to scheduled events, changes may be made on the day subject to the discretion of the Carnival Referee.
Let’s take a look at the predictions
MEN’S BOARD
Favourite: Tom Welch
Next Best: Tom Lewis
Other Chances: Nick Thomas and Jack Webster
Outsider: Harris Henderson
WOMEN’S BOARD
Favourite: Emily Holyman
Next Best: Holly Holmesby
Other Chances: Tully Elliott and Georgie Mclntyre
Outsider: Zoe Mckenna
MEN’S SKI
Favourite: Harry Stevenson
Next Best: Russel Fox
Other Chances: Tom Russel and Nick Thomas
Outsider: Archie Watson
WOMEN’S SKI
Favourite: Tully Elliot
Next Best: Holly Holmesby
Other Chances: Elissa Johnson and Emily Holyman
Outsider: Jamie Flanagan
MEN’S SWIM
Favourite: Matt Gilling
Next Best: Tom Lewis
Other Chances: Noah Chapple and Jack Webster
Outsider: Ashton Roberts
WOMEN’S SWIM
Favourite: Emily Holyman
Next Best: Jemma Holt
Other Chances: Holly Holmesby and Paige Holt
Outsider: Amy Buck
IRONMAN
Favourite: Tom Lewis
Next Best: Matt Gilling
Other Chances: Jack Webster and Ashton Roberts
Outsider: Stephen Carcary
IRONWOMAN
Favourite: Emily Holyman
Next Best: Holly Holmesby
Other Chances: Tully Elliot and Emily Maythers
Outsider: Jemma Holt
Best of Luck to everyone racing at the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Jim Wall Classic.