Gold Coast ironman Ali Day has battled through injury to win his eighth Coolangatta Gold, with a time of 03:57:49 while ironwoman Carla Papac finished in 04:27:00 for her maiden win of the event.
Elite athletes completed the 41.8km course which involves a 23km surf-ski, 1km run, 3.5km swim, 6.1km board and 8.2km run on the southern Gold Coast on Sunday.
The Coolangatta Gold has been dubbed one of the country's toughest endurance events, and marks the start of the competition season for the athletes.
For Papac, winning was the only option.
"I kept saying, 'I'm going to win'. It may be cocky, or it may be visualisation, so to actually win is a huge confidence boost," she said.
She was up against Courtney Hancock, who is the only female to have won the event four times.
"Definitely disappointed I didn't get my fifth, that was definitely a goal of mine, but that's sport, it can only make you tougher and stronger," Hancock said.
'I had a lot to lose'
The eighth Coolangatta Gold trophy win didn't come easily for Day, who has been struggling with a calf injury.
"That one's just relief, I'm over the moon but there was not a moment I could switch off at all, I went to the well really deep," he said.
"I had to be really vulnerable today, I obviously had a lot to lose, having won it seven times."
Matt Bevilacqua jumped from fifth to second in the run, the final leg of the event, to finish one minute behind Mr Day.
"I've been working on my run, I knew it was going to be strong," he said.
"Deep field, really tough, I'm happy to be second I suppose, in such a talented field."
One goal ... to cross the line
Lana Rogers from Alexandra Headland cried tears of relief as she finished third in the women's race.
After withdrawing from last year's event, Ms Rogers had one goal - cross the finish line.
"I didn't think I was going to do it this year, " she said.
"I lost a lot of confidence last season, especially not finishing the Gold then not finishing the series due to COVID.
"I'm back and I'm starting to have that confidence again."
