2023 Nutri-Grain Ironman

A surging sprint to the finish line has delivered Matt Bevilacqua an Ironman Series victory he rates as the highlight of his life.

Bevilacqua pipped Ben Carberry as the pair engaged in a thrilling battle for the series crown in the final race at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

With defending champion Ali Day ruled out with a virus, Bevilacqua and Carberry entered the last race of the six event series tied on points; whoever finished first between them would claim the title. Matt finished second with Carberry third.

The duo were neck-and-neck after the ski leg, getting to their feet at the same time for a beach sprint to determine the champion.

20 points awarded to the winner of each race; 19 for 2nd……….

Results

Matt Bevilacqua: 1st, 4th, 4th, 7th, 3rd, 3rd for a score of 104 points

Ben Carberry: 3rd, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 10th, 4th for a score of 103 points

Matt had won the title previously in 2018. Among his other accomplishments are a win the Coolangatta Gold in 2019 and is a five-time world champion in the grueling 51.5 km  Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard World Championship.