Big win for the Sandy Point Superstars
The Sandy Point Superstars came to be when Sandy Point local, Deanne Trimmer, was inspired to participate in the Ironman 70.3 Melbourne after having fulfilled a support crew role last year for a friend who completed the entire event solo. Deanne discovered there was a team event, so as a swimmer, she decided to recruit a cyclist (Ivana Cicchelli) and a runner (Michelle Jelleff) to make up the team, the 'Sandy Point Superstars'. The event was held out of Catani Gardens, St Kilda, with the 1.9km swim in the Bay, the 90km bike ride along Beach Road and the 21.1km run along the bayside path toward Brighton.
The biggest concern approaching this event was not whether the team's respective training programs would hold them up on the day, but good old-fashioned Melbourne weather. With torrential rain and thunderstorms forecast, it was all looking pretty grim. However, the weather gods changed their minds and the rain stayed away, leaving them with rather warm, humid conditions. Deanne kicked off the event with a terrific swim and although she was concerned about the 600m run to meet Ivana in transition, her feet barely touched the ground. Ivana had a sound plan for the two 45km circuits she needed to complete, and was right on her target time when she made her way back into transition. Michelle took over the reins for the running leg and the two out-and-back circuits from Catani Gardens south to North Road, Brighton. The team was able to come together and run the final 100m through the finishing chute to cross the line together.
"While in the recovery zone, the results began coming through. We were all stunned and delighted to discover our team had won the Women's Relay Event! The experience of completing the event together was so much fun and very rewarding, and to realise our team had come first was an added bonus." (Michelle)
Deanne & Michelle both live in Sandy Point and Ivana's family have had a holiday house at Waratah Bay for many years, so she is somewhat 'local' to the area.
