He made Australian History in Paris with an Australian Record in the 4x100. Burnie and Hobart on his Gift list.

Youngest ever Burnie Gift winner back to create history.

Jacob Despard has also won the Stawell and Devonport Gifts and although many might think he’d be concentrating on adding a few other Carnivals locations to his Gift list, Burnie holds a special place and he’s set himself to make it a double.

“Growing up in Tasmania and competing at the Christmas carnivals are some of the most cherished moments of my Athletics career. Ray Quarrell, who lives and breathes the sport in Tasmania was my coach at the time. He’s always been a great mentor and Burnie will bring back a lot of great memories or winning at 16 in front of my parents and some of my family.

I’ve heard so many stories from Ray throughout the years. Simon Bresnahan winning Burnie coached by Ray. Luke Whitney won Burnie coached by Ray. Coming back to Burnie, I’ll be thinking of Ray and that day as a sixteen year old.”

Jacob will also be running the Gift in Hobart, a Gift he hasn’t won. Although he prefers the 120 to the 100, he’ll be looking to maybe add Hobart to his list while getting a good look at any newcomers that might be planning to thwart his plans in Burnie.

“It’s always the first real big carnival of the series, so you get to see who’s coming in shape who hasn’t eaten too much Christmas pudding and who laid off the beers over Christmas. Then I’ll be resting up for Burnie. Very excited to get on the track and rip out the 15 millimetre spikes and yeah tear up the track.”

“I think the advantage that I have in Burnie this year is that I’ve been there before. I've won there before and I know what to expect. I don’t know what the guys in front of me will be thinking when I’m running them down, but if I was in their position, I’d probably be a little bit nervous. I’m excited. I think what I can do at Burnie and if I can get the win, even better.”

A few short months ago Jacob Despard was in Paris where  the Australian 4x100meter relay team set a new Australian record of 38.12 in their heat just 0.2 of a second off the time of seventh placed China and 62 hundredths of a second slower than Gold Medallists, Canada.

He's in great shape, rested and ready to fire with an eye on a nostalgic win in Burnie.