Danielle Allen is waiting on a specialist's report to see if her Ironwoman Series is over. SCN Agency
Allen hoping it's not over
by Steve Zemek
31st Jan 2012 9:11 AM
MOOLOOLABA teenager Danielle Allen is retaining a slim hope her breakout Ironwoman Series has not come to a grinding halt.
It appeared the 17-year-old's season was over after being diagnosed with a torn foot ligament following Sunday's fourth round in Perth.
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Allen, 17, had been one of the good news stories of this year's series, working her way into fourth place on the ladder after round three.
She injured her foot before even dipping her toes in the water in the gruelling 11.4km race.
However, she raced through the pain to finish ninth.
She will see a specialist tomorrow and while her chances of being fit for the final two races at Coolum and Noosa are remote, her coach Michael King said they would not make any decision until consulting doctors.
Regardless of the outcome King said he there were plenty of positives to come out of her campaign.
Had it not been for her injury, Allen would have been a chance of snaring her maiden round win at Perth, having proved she was suited to longer-distance racing when she finished fourth at the Coolangatta Gold last year.
While Allen slipped to sixth in the series after Perth, King said she had proven a lot with her efforts in the first four rounds.
"She showed she was capable of a hell of a lot," King said.
"There are a number of positives. Obviously it's quite a disappointment to get into that position. But she's simply a tough girl and she's determined and no matter what happens she's going to go on to bigger things."
Allen suffered the injury when she dug her toes into the sand as she went to pick up her board in the opening leg.
She thought she could work it off but struggled, particularly on the 3.6km run leg, when she was forced to but her weight on her heels to minimise the pain.
Allen was walking on crutches yesterday and King said it was a particularly gutsy effort for her to even complete the race.
"That's just the way she is. She tried to work her way out of it," he said.
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