2017 Aussies: Masters Wrap

Masters athletes took centre stage at the 2017 Aussies Championships over Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 March 2017 at North Kirra, Queensland with some testing conditions out on the water.

Day 1 saw 4ft back break and a strong drift making conditions challenging, especially for the surf boats, but were considerably better come Day 2.

As with the youth competition earlier in the week, WA Masters athletes consistently stepped up to the podium in the beach based events.

Special mention to John Lishman (North Cottesloe SLSC) who moved up an age group this year and took the gold over City of Perth’s Andrew Walker, who’d won the 2km Beach Run four years in a row. Lee McGovern (North Cottesloe SLS) took the bronze in the same event giving WA a clean sweep. Lishman also featured in the water events with a gold in the Ski Race.

Sorrento SLSC ‘Beachies’ super coach Jenny Plint improved on last year’s silver in the Beach Sprint taking out the gold in her pet event, while Scarboro’s Jose Desfosses headed up the 1km Beach Run taking gold.

Aaron Bell (Sorrento SLSC) took out the Beach Flag & Sprint double with a spectacular finish to his flags event – check out the footage here (make sure you watch to the end)! 

*Special side note that international athletes are eligible to compete at the Aussies, but not win Australian Championship medals.

WA athletes braved the conditions on the water to bring home gold in a further five events, bringing WA’s Masters Gold Medal tally to 11.

Sorrento SLSC took gold in the water as Leanne Lewis’ performance in the Ski Race saw her step up from last year’s silver medal in her age group.

This year saw Warren Jones (Scarboro SLSC) move up an age group, and with that he also moved up a few places in the Rescue Tube Race – from 6^th to 1^st!

Trigg Island SLSC traditionally produce successful ski competitors on the Aussies stage and Carolyn Ryan continued this tradition bringing home gold in the Single Ski Race.

Success also came WA’s way in two Board Rescue events. Cottesloe’s Stanley Davies and Robin Slattery teamed up for the gold, while Tracey Shaw and Fionna Carroll from Fremantle were also triumphant in their age group.

Congratulations to all athletes who competed. Details of all WA Masters athlete medallists are below. Full results available here.

Gold Medals

Stanley Davies, Robin Slattery – Cottesloe – 65-69 Male Board Rescue

Tracey Shaw, Fionna Carroll – Fremantle – 40-44 Female Board Rescue

John Lishman – North Cottesloe – 50-54 Male 2km Beach Run and Male Ski Race

Jose Desfosses – Scarboro – 65-69 Male 1km Beach Run

Warren Jones – Scarboro – 50-54 Male Rescue Tube Race

Aaron Bell – Sorrento – 35-39 Male Beach Sprint and Male Beach Flags

Jenny Plint – Sorrento – 30-34 Female Beach Sprint

Leanne Lewis – Sorrento – 55-59 Female Ski Race

Carolyn Ryan – Trigg Island – 50-54 Female Ski Race

Silver Medals

Andrew Walker – City of Perth – 50-54 Male 2km Beach Run

Linda Jackson, Sharan Colliss, Nicola Scott – City of Perth – 130 yrs Female Surf Team and Female Taplin Relay

Sharan Colliss – City of Perth – 40-49 Female 2km Ocean Swim and 45-49 Female Surf Race

Sharan Colliss, Nicola Scott – City of Perth – 45-49 Female Board Rescue

Stanley Davies, Robin Slattery – Cottesloe – 65-69 Male Double Ski

Peta Watkins, Leanne Lewis, Sue Lemmon – Sorrento – 150 yrs Female Ski Relay

Sandra Herbet, Leanne Lewis – Sorrento – 50-99 Female Double Ski

Sue Waite – Sorrento – 45-49 Female Beach Flags

Michael Cook – Trigg Island – 70 yrs & Over Male Surf Race, Male Rescue Tube Race and Ironman

Bronze Medals

Lee McGovern – North Cottesloe – 50-54 Male 2km Beach Run

John Lishman, Lee McGovern – North Cottesloe – 50-54 Male Board Rescue

William Whalley – Sorrento – 60-64 Male 1km Beach Run

Stan Davies – Cottesloe – 60 years and over Male Long Board Riding