Redhead's Daniel Collins recorded his best result in the national ironman series on Sunday at Surfers Paradise to move into the top 10 ahead of the final stop at North Cronulla on January 19.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Collins, who was 15th, 12th and 14th in previous rounds, finished fourth in the ironman final of a gruelling sprint format in round four.
The 20-man field competed in run, board, swim and ski races with only three- and five-minute recovery periods. Their results determined their starting position for the ironman final.
Collins won the opening run race and was fifth in the swim to help him finish fourth in the pointscore.
The effort meant he was fourth to begin the ironman race, where competitors were allowed to start at two-second intervals.
Collins used the advantage to stay in the top five competitors through the board, swim and ski legs of the final before hanging on for fourth and 17 points. The result lifted him from 14th to equal ninth on the standings on 39 points with round four winner Cory Taylor and TJ Hendy.
"That was my best one so far for a full round of the series that I've ever had, so I'm really happy with how it went today," Collins said.
"I held my own and at one stage coming off the ski I was third, and I was always third, fourth or fifth. I ended up with fourth and I was really happy with that.
"To put your body through that after four max efforts, I was well and truly seeing stars by the end of that race."
He said a top-five finish at a round "was a big goal" and "I'd love to be in the top 10" at the end of the series.
"I think a good benchmark is your number for the series. I'm 15, so that's where I'm ranked, so anything in front of that I see as an improvement and that I've raced well," he said.
"I got a month off now so I get to enjoy the Christmas festivities a bit with the family and have a bit of downtime before we get going again."