Contracts Out On Killer Cereal Series

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday September 9, 1998

By GLENN TOBIN

North Wollongong ironman Mark Norris looks certain to gain a reprieve and secure a contract on the $1 million Uncle Tobys Super Series this summer.

The UTSS and Meadow Lea Ironwoman Series held their trials on the weekend at Mooloolaba with the Illawarra surfing fraternity doing well.

Phil Clayton, making a return to racing after a 13-month hiatus, won the men's race while up and coming Wollongong City surfer Louis Whant grabbed eighth and his first UTSS contract.

Lilli Miller cruised through her heat, grabbing a seventh and her fourth consecutive contract on the MLIS.

However, Norris was the unlucky one.

He was beaten in a sprint to the line with Cottesloe's Mark Finucane and was pushed into 11th. Only 10 spots were being offered to make up the UTSS field of 30 for the six race series, which comes to North Gong Beach on November 1.

However, last night it appeared likely that Norris will be awarded a contract as Trevor Hendy is set to stand down from the series for the first time in its 10-year history.

Hendy will concentrate all his time and energy on his dream of representing Australia in kayaking at the Sydney 2000 Games.

His expected omission would open the door for Norris to gain his first Uncle Tobys deal after three years of trying to force his way into the sport's premier circuit.

Norris will learn of his fate by the end of this week.

Miller, one of the great young talents in the sport, said yesterday she was simply relieved to get the demands and pressure of the trial aside.

``I was really relieved to get there and get myself a contract for the year, I was pretty nervous going into it," she said.

``The race was really hard, there was not a ripple on the water so it brought everyone closer together.

``I went out pretty well but towards the end I was really hurting. I was glad to get over that line."

The women's event was won by North Bondi's Jade Sutcliffe.

Notables who missed the cut included Denby Stokes, Karen Hardy and Kate McNamara, who each raced on the series last year.

Illawarra athletes who missed the UTSS cut included Ben Squiers, Christian King, Greg Miller and Rhys Drury.

In the women's section, Nicole Sheedy also missed out on a seeding.

The UTSS and MLIS starts on October 11 at North Burleigh.

The opening race is Enduro style. The North Gong race is Survival.

© 1998 Illawarra Mercury

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