Fired up for a rematch0

NAOMI Flood doesn’t need any extra motivation. So when informed current Nutri Grain series leader Hayley Bateup “doesn’t believe the exhausting format at North Cronulla on Sunday suits the defending series champion”, the 23-year-old didn’t mince her words.

“Hayley can say what she likes, it’s nothing new,” Flood told The Manly Daily on Friday.

“I have really enjoyed the series so far, my results don’t reflect how well I have been going.

“With everything being determined tomorrow with double points, previous races aren’t that important.

“It will be full-on, the gap between the three races is only a few minutes. I just need to make sure I conserve my energy and make my move when the time is right.”

Bateup’s comments come after the pair had a post-race spat in their previous duel at Alexandra Headland, where Bateup’s errant surf ski collected Flood in the head.

While the three-time Coolangatta Gold winner believes it was a “non incident”, Flood isn’t on the same page.

“We had words after, I wasn’t happy,” she said.

“The series is there for her to lose, and if you look at previous results in the Nutri Grain she hasn’t exactly been that successful.

“But she isn’t the only one I am worried about, Alicia Marriott is racing out of her skin and Liz Pluimers is always a danger.”

Another motivating factor is Flood’s impending retirement from the sport, with a place on the Australian kayak team for the 2012 Olympic Games in London firmly on her mind.

“Surf lifesaving has been very good to me, I have achieved all the goals I set,” she said.

“I am at a stage in my life now where I need a new challenge and I think kayaking is the answer. I have been doing a little bit of work here and there, and once all my commitments wind up after the nationals at Kurrawa, kayaking will be my primary focus.”

Boom Freshwater teenagers Alisha Miller and Devon Halligan will compete in the ironwoman trials at North Cronulla on Saturday, hoping to nail down two of the three berths available in the final, which will be telecast live on Channel 7 from 11.30am on Sunday.

Source: http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/hayley-s-comments-fire-up-flood-for-rematch/