Sophie was over the line first in a strong field including Ironwoman series leader Harriet Brown.

Thomas said she was “stoked” with the win.

“It was exciting to win that event,” she said.

“I have never been that close to big competitors as Harriet Brown or Courtney Hancock, who are the leaders of the Ironwoman series.

“Its good to know that I have got a bit of speed and the ability to compete against these girls.”

Thomas was on the end of some good luck in the relatively flat conditions at Torquay.

“I was sitting on the back of Courtney Hancock out to the first can, and then I got swamped by the rest of the field,” she said.

“Then I got lucky with a small wave coming along and which I was able to catch and separate myself from the pack.”

Thomas also finished 16th in the 45 ironwoman field which again included Brown and Hancock.

“I was pleased with the result,” she said.

“It was good to see how I stack up against some of the best in the sport.”

Thomas also competed with the rest of the senior competition squad at the Ocean6 series at Fairhaven on Sunday.

The carnival provided the squad with a encouraging signs that they are on the right track, with many promising results from top competitors Jane McMeel, Matt Hardiman and also Thomas.

Thomas competed in two finals. Finishing 18^th in the run-swim-run and 20^th in the surf swim.

While McMeel was the sole Victorian in the Board final, going on to finish 10 in tricky conditions that presented 2-metre waves.

Hardiman made it to the semi finals in the board race, but was unable to progress to the final.

Senior coach Stephen Kerr said the competition provided invaluable experiences for the competition squad ahead of a big month of competition. 

“The Fairhaven carnival provided our squad with some great exposure to the very highest level of competition in some very trick and large surf conditions,” he said.

“Our under 17 and 19 competitors took the opportunity to step up into the open grade competition and compete against the best in the country and have learnt a lot from the experience, so that when they drop back to their age racing they will be in a much better position.  

“It is all a part of our focus for the group to gain experience racing against quality national level competition, so that we are prepared for the State and National Surf Life Saving Titles at the end of the season.”