STATE RIVALRY SET TO EXPLODE IN THE 2009 KELLOGG'S NUTRI-GRAIN IRONMAN SERIES

Bondi, December 5: Summer is set to get a whole lot hotter this year as the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman and Ironwoman Series kicks into action, with the announcement of the teams for the 2009 Series.

With each state region boasting a strong stable of stars, the 2009 Series is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested as athletes battle it out for a $200,000 prize pool.

Defending champions, Telstra Sunfish will once again be led by reigning Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Champion Zane Holmes, who will team up with 2008 runner-up Shannon Eckstein and reigning Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Elizabeth Pluimers.

But the ‘Hollywood team' as they're known will face stiff competition from the other state teams, with the injection of new talent as well as the return of old favourites, expected to add a new dimension to the Series next year.

Four of the country's top young Ironmen will make their Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series debut in 2009, including James Stewart (Telstra Sunfish), Kendrick Louis (Inner Health Plus Hammers), Hayden Allum (Southern Ice) and Jack Hansen (Southern Ice).

Returning to the series after a year off is Channel Seven Gladiators star Hayley Bateup who will captain the Southern Ice team, along with former Australian Ironwoman Champion Kristyl Smith who join her brother Nathan in the Express Glass Blue Fins team.

Telstra Sunfish captain Zane Holmes is hoping to lead his team to its third successive title.

"It was perfect for me last year with the Telstra Sunfish winning the teams point score and also claiming my fifth professional series win in ten seasons," said Holmes.

"This will be my eleventh year in the series and apart from Deano (Mercer) I am the oldest but I am really pumped to make it six titles this summer and I can't see why not.

 "My training has been going well after sitting out the Coolangatta Gold which has really made me more motivated and freshly focused on this fairly short surf season.

"It's great to see a lot of young guys coming through at the recent trial event and Kendrick Louis really impressed me with his win in the last race at just 18 years of age.

"The Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Series is a big step up to a whole new level of racing compared to the trial and it will be interesting to see how they handle it," he said.

Louis will be amongst good company when he team's up with fellow Inner Health Plus Northern NSW Hammers crew, Naomi Flood, Hugh Dougherty, Courtney and Bonnie Hancock and Matt Poole.

Current World Ironwoman Flood, will lead the team and she was excited when she heard of her team's line up.

"I'm looking forward to racing with one of the youngest team and two new recruits (Louis and Poole) are guys I grew up with on the northern beaches," said Flood

"It will be great to give those other teams a bit of a shake up.

"The Hancock girls are on fire after a huge first year in the Series together last season, so they know what it's all about.

"Hugh I know has been doing some solid training during the off-season and will be ready to fire - overall our team is shaping up nicely," she said.

In the female ranks, Kirsten Ulmer has been granted her first shot in the Series with a wildcard selection along with veteran Terri Sullivan.

Tim Peach has informed SLSA that he has withdrawn from the 2009 Series due to full time work commitments, opening up another spot in the male ranks.

The next best ranked athlete from the Trial is Jack Hansen who will return to his roots when the former Victorian takes to the line representing the Southern Ice. 

Wildcard spots in the male ranks has been granted to Ironman veteran Dean Mercer (who was absent from last weekend's Trial due to injury) and WA Ironman champion Brendan Sarson who had sustained a foot injury weeks out from the Trial.

Both Mercer and Sarson's spots are subject to racing competitively in at least one Ironman event prior to 11 January 2009, where selectors will then review their admission.

The 2009 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman and Ironwoman Series will be televised on the Seven Network.

North Queensland Lightning

(1) Allira Richardson (c), (2) Chloe Jones, (3) Corey Jones, (4) Dean Mercer, (5) Dylan Newbiggin (6) Gemma Newbiggin

Telstra Southern Queensland Sunfish

(1) Zane Holmes (c), (2) Shannon Eckstein, (3) Bianca Lee, (4) Elizabeth Pluimers, (5) James Stewart, (6) Terri Sullivan

Inner Health Plus Northern NSW Hammers

(1) Naomi Flood (c), (2) Hugh Dougherty, (3) Courtney Hancock, (4) Bonnie Hancock, (5) Kendrick Louis, (6) Matt Poole

Express Glass Southern NSW Blue Fins

(1) Nathan Smith (c), (2) Chris Allum, (3) Alyce Bennett, (4) Wes Berg, (5) Chelsea Mackenzie,

(6) Kristyl Smith

Southern Ice

(1) Hayley Bateup (c), (2) Hayden Allum, (3) Jack Hansen, (4) Pierce Leonard, (5) Flora Manciet (6) Kristen Ulmer

Western Waves

(1) Alicia Marriott (c), (2) Rebecca Creedy, (3) Brodie Moir, (4) Andrew Mosel, (5) Luke Nisbet

(6) Brendan Sarson 

2009 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman and Ironwoman Series dates:

Round 1, Saturday 17 January 2009, Kurrawa Beach, Gold Coast

(Televised Seven Network 18 January, 12-2pm)

Round 2, Sunday 18 January 2009, Kurrawa Beach, Gold Coast

(Televised Seven Network 1 February, 12-2pm)

Round 3, Saturday 7 February 2009, Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast

(Televised Seven Network 8 February, 12-2pm)

Round 4, Sunday 8 February 2009, Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast

(Televised Seven Network 15 February, 12-2pm)

Final, Sunday 22 February, Coogee Beach, Sydney - Televised Seven Network 1-3pm