ECKSTEIN'S PLAN TO CAINE ALL CHALLENGERS IN nib COOLANGATTA GOLD

COOLANGATTA, October 15: Tugun Ironman Caine Eckstein has issued a challenge to his rivals just a week out from Sunday's nib Coolangatta Gold with the 22-year-old declaring he is "twice as strong" compared to when he last raced and won the coveted crown back in 2005.

Eckstein, who will attend today's "Carbo loading lunch" at Currumbin Vikings SLSC, left Surf Life Saving soon after the win three years ago to pursue triathlon and more recently endurance ski paddling events.

He now returns for the 46 kilometre return journey from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta, looking to become only the second man in history after Guy Leech in 1984 and 85 to win the event twice.

"I would rate my preparation back in 2005 as a six out of ten but now for this year I would say it has to be a nine," Eckstein said, who has done most of his training by himself.

"I am excited to race and to see who can try and drop me. This is the hardest I've ever trained and if anyone can match it with me and burn me off during the race I'll be the first one to shake their hand at the finish line."

Remarkably his forthright comments will come as a surprise to most with the newly appointed Tugun head coach regarded as one of the quietest and unassuming Ironmen in the business.

But there is little doubt that he means business come 7.00am on Sunday morning, when the guns fires to send the field on their southward journey from Surfers Paradise.

Another worrying sign for his rivals is his concentration on turning his biggest weakness, his ski paddling, into his strongest discipline with Eckstein knowing much of the race hinges on the gruelling opening 23 kilometre paddle to Coolangatta.  

"I was only a first year open competitor when I won back in 2005 and my ski leg then was average but now I've been doing more ski paddling and racing than anything else over the last eight months," Eckstein said.

"I know it sounds weird but ski was my worst leg and I've turn it into my best."

"I've put on three kilos of muscle with the increase in paddling and I am feeling stronger and running faster than I ever have before."

Eckstein also puts his base fitness down to four solid swim sessions a week under master coach Denis Cotterell at the Miami "Pool of Champions" - the breeding ground of such Ironman and Irowoman greats as Trevor Hendy and Karla Gilbert.

Likely challengers to the short priced favourite will include 38-year-old Mooloolaba veteran, Dean Mercer who is still searching for his first ever Gold victory after finishing third back in 1992 and again in 2006, former national champion and runner up in 2006, Nathan Smith of Cronulla, Burleigh-Heads Mowbray Park's Hugh Dougherty and consistent South African born Gold Coaster, Luke Nisbet of Northcliffe.

The women's event will see two-time winner Hayley Bateup chasing a history-making third title with former Australian champions Kirsty Holmes and Kristyl Smith, along with youngsters Courtney Hancock, Gemma Newbiggin, Alyce Bennett and Tahlia Ferguson certain to be among the challengers. 

The nib Coolangatta Gold is Australia's ultimate Ironman and Ironwoman endurance race. The event will take place on Queensland's Gold Coast and surrounding beaches on Sunday 19 October 2008.

For the second year running, the nib Coolangatta Gold will be open to entries to all elite athletes, not just members of surf life saving clubs.
For more details visit http://surfsports.slsa.com.au/