Mercers Star In Surf Stunner

Illawarra Mercury

Sunday July 13, 1997

By GLENN TOBIN

Illawarra's dominant position in world surf lifesaving was further confirmed yesterday with three local ironmen filling the top six positions in the Oceanman Series race at Mooloolaba.

Two-time national ironman champions, Thirroul's Dean and Darren Mercer, placed second and third respectively in the gruelling race.

North Wollongong ironman Jonathan Crowe, back in Australia from the Hollywood set of Baywatch, placed sixth.

Newcastle youngster Josh Blair won the race, continuing his consistent assault on the top races during the past year.

But it was the thrilling return to form of the Mercer brothers that caught the eye of Illawarra surf fans.

Dean and Darren had started the Oceanman series in quiet form by their impeccable standards following a gruelling summer of action in which Darren grabbed his second straight national title.

But the pair have been in heavy training during the past month since the second Oceanman race in Indonesia and showed the results with a stunning two-three finish.

Crowe was not far behind his old sparring partners when he came to towards the finish line.

He had led the race earlier in the piece but was overhauled by Blair and the chasing pack.

North Wollongong's Phil Clayton failed to finish the race after succumbing to a stomach bug which also put four-time world champion and current series leader Trevor Hendy out.

Clayton and Hendy, who share a close friendship, had apparently eaten the same foods on Saturday night.

Crowe had only just returned to Australia after breaking from shooting a new series of Baywatch, in which he has landed a role as a rookie lifeguard.

He will return to the United States tomorrow.

"It was a good hit-out for me here but I ran out of gas in the end and started to get really tired," Crowe said. "I am still happy with the result. Dean and Darren raced really well and looked good in the water. They deserved their placings."

© 1997 Illawarra Mercury

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