ALL-STAR LINEUP FOR KELLOGG'S NUTRI-GRAIN TRIAL

SYDNEY, November 28: Three-time nib Coolangatta Gold winner Hayley Bateup and former Australian Ironwoman champion Kristyl Smith will be amongst a star-studded field of Australia's finest surf sports competitors who will turn out at Wanda Beach this weekend chasing places in the $200,000 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Iron Man Series.

There are 21 positions up for grabs in a grueling weekend of trial races before the six teams are finalised for the five-round 2009 Series, starting at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast on January 17 and 18.

Bateup and Smith will be joined by the Hancock sisters - Courtney and Bonnie, Alyce Bennett, Candice Falzon, Allira Richardson, Flora Manciet and former Commonwealth Games swim star Rebecca Creedy in a red-hot women's field, chasing 11 spots.

The competitive men's field will see Cronulla's Allum brothers, Christopher and Hayden join former Australian under 19 champion Jacob Lollback as well as Corey Jones, Luke Nisbet, Josh Blair and Cory Hill and another former stillwater star Josh Minogue who will be vying for 10 available places.

The successful 21 athletes named on Sunday night will join the stars of last season's Series in the 36-strong field which will also see four athletes added through the wild card system.

Six males - defending champion Zane Holmes, his arch rival and Australian and World Champion Shannon Eckstein, as well as Pierce Leonard, Wes Berg, Nathan Smith and Hugh Dougherty are automatic qualifiers from last season's men's series.

In the women, defending champion Elizabeth Pluimers, Australian champion Alicia Marriott, Bianca Lee, Naomi Flood and Gemma Newbiggen all qualified last season. Former World Ironwoman Champion Kristy Munroe has since retired opening up another spot in the female ranks.

Northcliffe's Hancock sisters had their first look at the tricky Wanda surf today and declared they were ready for any conditions.

"The water is a bit colder than what we're used to on the Gold Coast and the conditions look to be very even and I think fair conditions are best for a trial event like this," Courtney said.

Younger sister Bonnie is back in the water and will compete this weekend after a freak training accident last month witnessed her fracture two vertebrae in her back and forced her out of the nib Coolangatta Gold.

"I was happy with some strong performances last weekend at the Ocean Assault and I am coming into this trial with no expectations but to race as hard as I can and get a great hit out."

All the action starts at 8am on Saturday morning with Sunday's rounds beginning at 7:30am.

2008 KELLOGG'S NUTRI-GRAIN

 

Round 1: January 17, 2009, Kurrawa Beach, Gold Coast (Televised, January 18, Seven Network)
Round 2: January 18, 2009, Kurrawa Beach, Gold Coast (Televised February 1, Seven Network)
Round 3: February 7,  2009, Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast (Televised February 8, Seven Network)
Round 4: February 8, 2009, Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast (Televised February 15, Seven Network)
Round 5: FINAL - 22 February 2009, Coogee Beach, Sydney (LIVE on Seven Network)