Tried and true

THE tradition continues with the running of this weekend’s Noosa Triathlon festival … and the buzz that surrounds the area is infectious.
Congratulations to the organisers for again bringing the world to our doorstep and giving the Coast a much enjoyed economic boost leading up to Christmas.
Of course the big names will get plenty of exposure and some new faces as well. That’s always been one of the big successes that previous organisers built this weekend around.
I know you heard me say it before, but 1983 really wasn’t that long ago but, gee, a lot has changed.
A normal racing bike is around $7000 and running shoes over $100. Oh, and don’t forget swimming goggles $50, wet-suit $500 and dietary requirements … who knows.
In the first race there were 183 wide-eyed hopefuls start, with Gold Coaster Michael Harris and future Olympian Liz Hepple first across the line.
This weekend 14,500 competitors all line up for the festival, which starts with golf today, 1200 taking the plunge in the kids event and 7000 in Sunday’s big race.
My two standout moments from the 30 races I commentated involves Noosa’s newest resident Emma Snowsill.
The first was 2003 when she won her first Noosa title, as an unknown after winning the first Youth Olympics in Sydney the year before.
But my proudest moment came in 2008, when introducing the ladies winner across the line: “Please welcome your winner and our first ever Olympic champion Emma Snowsill’’.
I had the pleasure of welcoming home World, European, Canadian, German, USA, Kiwi champions but never an Olympic Gold Medalist.
1984 and 1985 were also significant years of development for the event, with nationally known cyclists and swimmers brought in to prop up and add to the exposure for the race.
Most triathletes during that era weren’t afforded the profile they now enjoy – athletes like Olympic swimmers Justin Lemberg, Julie McDonald, Neil Brookes, Susie Landells and cyclists Robert Crossley and Russell Tucker were enlisted to raise the profile.
Probably my not-so-proud moment was walking home from Rio’s with the Eumundi Brewery boss around 3am.
That wasn’t the bad part, it was sitting on the kerb singing “I Still Call Australia Home’’ … my house mates not impressed, with the starter’s gun only three hours away.
The only disappointment for me is that the other Noosa event of those early days, the Jack Newton Golf Classic, is now hosted in NSW.
It was great to see the instigator of the event John Peircey was recognised with his annual golf day again raising money for charities.
John was a great knock-about local who wanted to recognise his mate Jack after his terrible accident and raise money for a cause.
It’s nice to know these two events started all those years ago, are still well entrenched in our culture and calendar.
I still have a few spots left for the annual Sports Golf Day at Palmer Resort on Friday 14 November. Anyone interested can call me at the resort.
Until next time.