Surf lifeguards Cory Taylor, Olivia Corrin seventh at Iron Series finale

Gisborne's Olivia Corrin made it to the grand eliminator round of the Shaw and Partners Iron Series in Australia, but had to settle for seventh overall. Photo / Dscribe Media

Gold Coast-based Gisborne surf lifesavers Cory Taylor and Olivia Corrin played their parts in an absorbing finale to the Shaw and Partners Iron series on Sunday, but missed out on the podium.

The pair – members of the Northcliffe (Gold Coast) and Midway (Gisborne) clubs – both finished seventh overall as the four-round series was completed at North Burleigh over the weekend.

Sixteen men and 16 women contested round three, the specialist, on Saturday, with the top 12 from that advancing to round four’s grand eliminator on Sunday.

The specialist comprised four individual discipline races – a run, board, swim and ski. Points gained from each of those determined where each athlete would start in a staggered handicap iron race to end the day – the top 12 moving on to Sunday’s climactic event.

Taylor was 13th in the run, eighth in the board, ninth in the swim and second in the ski to qualify seventh equal for the iron race in which he placed 11th – good enough to stay alive.

Corrin was 14th in the run, ninth in the board, fifth in the swim and sixth in the ski, and qualified seventh for the iron race. She placed sixth in that to remain in the hunt.

Sunday’s grand eliminator featured three iron races – the top 10 in race one going on to race two from which the top eight advanced to the title and money-deciding race three.

Taylor was third in race one (won by Northcliffe clubmate Matt Bevilacqa) and second to Ali Day (Surfers Paradise) in race two.

It all came down to race three, but Taylor was unable to stay with the leaders and had to settle for seventh.

The race ended like a Hollywood movie. Conner Maggs looked set for a comfortable victory and even celebrated early as he skied towards shore, only for a wave to knock him from his ski. The 19-year-old’s foot got trapped between the ski pedal and strap and by the time he had got it loose, a chasing Joel Piper was almost upon him.

The pair sprinted across the sand and into the home stretch and hit the line together – Piper diving desperately, but an elated and relieved Maggs getting home.

Corrin had to come from the back of the field twice to survive the axe in races one and two of the grand eliminator. She was sixth in race one and eighth in race two.

It took its toll and she placed seventh in race three, which was won by Lucy Derbyshire.

Maggs and Derbyshire were surprise victors, each earning themselves A$25,000 ($27,500) and an Isuzu MU-X SUV.

In making it to round four, Corrin and Taylor automatically qualified for the 2025-26 series.