Cuff, Bull stars on the rise with Junior Challenge wins

The future of ironman and ironwoman racing was on show at Noosa Heads with Kurrawa’s Luke Cuff and Alexandra Headlands’ Alyssa Bull claiming the inaugural Junior IronMan and IronWoman Challenge.

Designed to give the next generation of ironman and ironwoman stars a taste of the big time, the swim – board race for competitors between 13 and 17 was raced over the same course as their heroes in the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan Series and IronWoman Series.

After their wins both 17-year-old’s Cuff and Bull declared their intentions to trial for the elite professional Nutri-Grain and IronWoman Series’ next summer.

Cuff, who trains under veteran Nutri-Grain Series star Phil Clayton, said the chance to race on the big stage was a thrill for all the competitors.

“It’s great to get some experience on the Nutri-Grain podium as well as I hope to trial for the Ironman Series next year and I’d love to be able to get my name of the back of my togs,” Cuff said.
“Phil Clayton, who is my coach has been great, and Ky Hurst who is a good friend is also amazing as being in his company is inspiring.”

Cuff said she was determined to one day race alongside her hero and IronWoman Series winner Liz Pluimers.
“I’ll definitely give the trial a crack this year and hopefully I can make it,” Bull said.
“It’s very inspiring watching the older girls’ race and seeing how they do things, it’s just unreal.
“All the girls are really inspiring and I look up to Liz and Courtney Hancock especially.”
Second in the IronMan race was Mermaid Beach’s James Lacey ahead of Noosa’s Robbie Hayes, while in the IronWoman event the runner-up was Emu Park’s Lana Rogers, with Mooloolaba’s Sarah Kime third.