Adrian's Plan To Motor Out Of Blocks
Newcastle Herald
Saturday December 16, 2000
SWANSEA-Belmont ironman Adrian Tobin will hold nothing back in tomorrow's second round of the National Surf League at Mooloolaba.
The 22-year-old missed the start in the first round held two weeks ago at Manly and it cost him dearly.
Tobin was squeezed out of contention in the first leg of the race and could not fight his way back to the leaders.
But Tobin said he had learnt from the race and would hit the ground running tomorrow.
`I've got to lead from the front, you can't afford to get caught behind in these races,' Tobin said.
`I need to be in the top-three pack going into the last leg and then try and make a break for the line.
`I learnt in the first round that these races are so fast that you don't have time to think and the only way to be a contender is to go out and lead from the beginning.'
Tobin regards Mooloolaba as a second home and said it was like competing in Newcastle.
`This will be as close as I will get to a home race in the series,' Tobin said.
`I lived here for a few years and I have raced here three times before, finishing in the top three each time.
`So it has been a very successful beach for me and hopefully will be again.'
Tobin and Dixon Park surf lifesaver Ryan Norrie travelled north earlier this week to give themselves some time to prepare for the round.
Tobin is representing Tasmania while Norrie will look for a better performance in the surf race when he swims for Western Australia.
The 18-year-old was nervous in his first taste of surf-league competition at Manly two weeks ago, but will be better prepared into tomorrow's race.
Redhead ski paddler Peter Scott will represent NSW.
AAP reports: Ironman Dean Mercer expects to complete the National Surf League season despite tests which all but confirmed he has compartment syndrome in both legs.
Mercer competed in the opening round at Manly Beach with both his calf muscles heavily strapped, and had further tests on the injury last week.
The tests failed to clear Mercer of compartment syndrome, an inflammation of the tissue which encloses the muscles of the lower leg.
It heightened fears the 31-year-old may need an operation at the end of the season.
Lilli Miller has been forced out of the second round of the women's surf league after undergoing emergency surgery yesterday.
Miller was rushed to hospital with appendicitis and will be unable to train for at least two weeks.
The 21-year-old, who joined the league this year from the the rival Uncle Tobys Series, finished fourth at Manly.
Miller joins Cassandra Sedgman and Anna Ballara on the sidelines.
© 2000 Newcastle Herald
