FEATURE STORY
With Super League Hamilton Island taking place over St . Patrick ’ s Day weekend , you ’ d think the luck of the Irish would be with Ben Shaw . Instead , it seemed as if every time he gambled and rolled the dice , he came up snake eyes .
The Irishman who grew up on the Gold Coast has plenty of talent ; during the weekend he pushed the pace on every bike leg and ran shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of them . But he also made errors that knocked him out of contention .
During Stage 1 of the Triple Mix he led the pack on the bike until he miscounted and dismounted while everyone else rode through for the last lap . On Stage 3 he then overcooked a corner out of transition and crashed during the opening bike ride , resulting in a DNF . And on the final day of racing on Stage 1 of the Eliminator , his bike went out from under him in the wet conditions . Athletes such as Brent McMahon and Siggi Ragnarsson also took a tumble into the barriers trying to avoid running over him .
Shaw said , “ Ironically , I am very strong and technically proficient on the bike , yet given the fatigue experienced through the course of the weekend , these potential strengths were nullified .”
Super League Triathlon co-founder Chris McCormack said , “ He ’ s been aggressive and he ’ s paid the price .” Commentator and fourtime world champion Emma Frodeno agreed , saying , “ I just think he didn ’ t concentrate enough .”
For his troubles , Super League Triathlon fans voted him as sponsor Biestmilch ’ s # SuperUnlucky awardee with a cash prize of $ 1,000 to salve his scrapes .
Shaw believed his aggressive racing had contributed to the excitement of the race , however . “ A conservative approach was far from my mind as I flew down the hill and challenged myself again and again to be strong as my heart and lungs were going to explode . I look forward to being a more experienced competitor in the future .”
Photo : Delly Carr / Sportshoot and Super League Triathlon
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