Sporting greats

SPORT has been my life but it sure has its ups and downs, as my column relates to this week.
Two Aussie greats, triathlete Jackie Fairweather and Noosa’s tennis ace Pat Rafter, have featured in the headlines this week at either end of the scale.
Two-time US open winner and former world number one Rafter has been given Australian tennis’ most taunting task as director of performance.
While remaining Davis Cup captain, the Sunshine Beach resident will oversee Tennis Australia’s program in a hope of developing leading teenage prospects into world beaters.
Pat’s strong passion for new blood has already plunged Nick Kyrgious and Thanasi Kokkinakis into the cut-throat world of Davis Cup, with great success.
In fact, Kyrgious went on to make the Wimbledon quarter-finals and world top 70.
Tennis Australia has complete faith in Rafter’s ability, describing his role as “the most powerful in professional ranks in the nation” and confirming his leadership will help “bring one of the world’s strongest groups of teenage talent through to professional success’’.
This must have been a big decision, but I doubt Pat wouldn’t have taken up the challenge if he wasn’t comfortable in himself and family.
“I feel the time is right to step into this role and help us take the next step”’.
His cause will be helped even more as the latest statistics show seven men aged 21 or younger ranked in the world’s top 250.
I think Pat’s main asset and lethal weapon is his dinky dye Aussie attitude to life, that will only help and give his charges a true reflection of how they are travelling.
To the other end, last Sunday witnessed some terrific performances in the main event of this year’s Triathlon Festival.
The race that continues to be a stepping-stone for future greatness with most running a personal best time and enjoying the opportunity of competing against some of the best in the country.
Sadly that night, in Canberra Jackie Fairweather decided it was all too much, losing her battle with depression, as she had just had enough, aged only 46.
The former dual World Champion was one of the best and certainly one of the toughest.
During her era in the early 90s Jackie, Emma Carney and Loretta Harrop led the way in the world of triathlon.
Their fierce competition drove them all to world dominance and a thorn of all competitors around the world.
I called many of Jackie’s races in the early 90s and had the pleasure of her company behind the microphone after she hung up the runners.
Just like on the track, she called it as she saw it and at times dissected the race as it unfolded explaining what competitors were doing wrong.
Jackie came from a running background to which she went back to after triathlons, winning the Gold Coast Marathon and claiming bronze at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Both Jackie and Pat are champions, but gee sport can be cruel sometimes.
Until next time.