First major title for Williams

 

Teenager Hannah Williams has broken through for her first major ironwoman win at a memorable Eastern Regional surf lifesaving championships held in Mt Maunganui at the end of January.

Now competing for the Piha club, Hannah still has strong Mangawhai ties.

After winning the under-19 title, the 17-year-old was convinced by coach Steve Ferguson to try for the open title as well.

“I was on the finish line after (winning) the under-19s and Steve said ‘the open women are on the line – do you want to do it?’ I was pretty smashed but there’s always a little bit of energy left, so I thought why not,” Williams said.

“Some of my other races were pretty average so I thought the under-19 final was going to be the one… it turned out I had two in me!”

Although the open women’s field was missing Mairangi Bay’s Danielle McKenzie – who nursed an ankle injury through the two-day carnival – and Omanu’s Devon Halligon, Williams still beat home accomplished Mount Maunganui locals Jess Miller and Katie Wilson.

It backed up a great start to the season, after finishing second behind Piha teammate Kirsty Wannan at the Mount Monster endurance race before Christmas.


DOUBLE: Piha’s Hannah Williams won both the under-19 and open ironwoman races at the Eastern Regional surf lifesaving championshis today. PHOTO/Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services