Kerry takes fourth place

Umina Surf Club's Kerry Armstrong-Smith has claimed fourth spot at the World Masters Ironwoman event, third in the malibu board race and fourth in the single ski in the 30-34 age group at Manly.

Competitors from around the world, including South Africa, the United States and Belgium also competed.

The result was all the more remarkable because Kerry only trains twice a week.

"I had a baby last year and with working full-time at the school, I don’t get to train as much as I used to," she said.

Kerry was given the opportunity to compete after performing well in the Australian Masters and winning the inaugural Australian Women’s Champion Lifesaver event last month.

Each state had one representative.

The Champion Lifesaver event takes stamina as it is run over numerous events and different disciplines.

The events include patient resuscitation, setting up oxygen equipment, a beach run, a run-swim-run event and tube and board events.

"I competed three years ago in the Open Championship against the men because there was no women’s event then," said Kerry.

Kerry, 31, also had to compete against younger athletes in the open event

Before that, in the State Masters she won two bronze medals and a silver medal for tube, ski and ironwoman (30-34 age group).

"The competition was very tough," she said.

Carl Spears, March 31