Hayley Bateup has signalled her return, to the Ironwoman series, with an emphatic win in the qualifying trials at Tugun this morning.
The 32-year-old stuck with the top four for the entire race, only to pull ahead and win the run.
“Whew, I just has a bit of a point to prove that I was back. My shoulder had it’s just been so bad the last couple of years and it’s just nice to have the body working well.”
In the men’s event, Mooloolaba’s Josh Minogue led the field home.
“It’s been a long five six months and long 12 months since the last trials so it’s good to come here and do well.”
The top five from each race qualify.