Phil's Back To The Beach

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday September 5, 1998

By GLENN TOBIN

Ironman Phil Clayton makes a ``return to the ring" tomorrow after a self-imposed 12-month hiatus when he tackles the $1million Uncle Toby Super Series trial at Mooloolaba, on the Sunshine Coast.

The 22-year-old former UTSS race winner is one of nine Illawarra and South Coast athletes contesting the trial which offers spots to the top 10 men and women for the UTSS and Meadow Lea Ironwoman Series respectively.

If it came to odds, Clayton - the former third ranked UTSS athlete - would be favourite. Considering his pedigree it seems unnatural that he would have to trial for a contract.

But that is because he has not raced for 12 months after taking a year from the tour to travel the world with long-time girlfriend Vivian Borg.

However, now he is back. And back in a big way.

``I feel like I am making a return to the ring or something ... I am just that excited," Clayton said from the Sunshine Coast last night.

``I am back racing, back to doing what I love best. I have been off and out of the game for more than 12 months but I feel fresher than ever and have trained better than I have ever have before.

``It (the rest) was good for me. Now I am focused and ready to get right into it again."

Fellow Illawarra ironmen also trying their hand at the trial are Louis Whant, Ben Squiers, (Wollongong City), Mark Norris, Christian King (North Gong), Rhys Drury (Austinmer), Warilla Barrack Point's Damien Sheedy and Greg ``Egg" Miller of Shoalhaven Heads.

Miller's clubmate Drew Cairncross was also supposed to race but he had a windfall this week and has earned a seed on to the top 20 in the UTSS, which carries with it a contract for the season.

In the women's event, North Gong star Lilli Miller is a certainty to earn a seed for her fourth successive season on the Meadow Lea tour.

Miller was unlucky not to gain a 1998 contract after an unfortunate season last year but has returned to training with zest and is looking fitter than ever.

She and Karen Hardy are the favourites for the women's which will also feature Warilla Barrack Point's Nicole Sheedy.

A total of 88 ironmen will contest the men's and 51 women will line up.

© 1998 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home