ECKSTEIN TO RACE THROUGH PAIN BARRIER AT COOLUM

Coolum, February 2: Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Iron Man Series leader Shannon Eckstein has declared himself a certain starter for this weekend's third and fourth rounds at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast despite a painful back injury which has curtailed his preparation.

Eckstein, who was forced to take a week off training after the opening two rounds at Kurrawa, said he was struggling to paddle his ski in rough conditions.

The 25-year-old won round one and was a close-up second to Telstra Southern QLD Sunfish team mate Zane Holmes in round two but revealed he competed with painkillers for a jammed facet joint in his back.

"The week off did it the world of good but I must admit ski paddling is a little difficult and I grimace every time I paddle through a wave," said Eckstein.

"It's OK sitting upright in flat water but going through the surf is a bit tougher.

"I'm just going to have to prepare myself differently and be a bit smarter the way I go about things. I'm lucky I've had a good off season so my overall fitness should be fine."

Eckstein, a three time Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series winner and three-time Australian champion, is preparing for another showdown with rival, training partner and friend Holmes over the next two rounds at an open Coolum venue, which always turns on a wave.

Points will be vital in the march towards the final at Coogee on February 22.

"I think we can expect a wave at Coolum for sure," said Eckstein, "the cyclonic activity could well turn it on but Coolum is an open beach anyway, so there will be some swell."

The injury forced Eckstein out of the Manly-Freshwater carnivals the final selection trials for the Australian team to contest the three-Test Series against South Africa in Durban in late March.

Going into round three this Saturday, Eckstein (Telstra Southern QLD Sunfish) leads on 35 points from Holmes (Telstra Southern QLD Sunfish) on 34, Pierce Leonard (DHL Southern Ice) 32, Matt Poole (Inner Health Plus Northern NSW Hammers) 28, Hugh Dougherty (Inner Health Plus Northern NSW Hammers), Dean Mercer (Citizen Northern QLD Lightning) and Chris Allum (Express Glass Southern NSW Blue Fins) 24, Nathan Smith (Express Glass Southern NSW Blue Fins) 23 and Corey Jones (Citizen Northern QLD Lightning) 23.

Kristyl Smith (Express Glass Southern NSW Blue Fins) has a clean slate with two wins from two starts and leads the women's field on 36 points from Terri Sullivan (Telstra Southern QLD Sunfish) and Naomi Flood (Inner Health Plus Northern NSW Hammers), 33, Series defender Elizabeth Pluimers and nib Coolangatta Gold winner Hayley Bateup (DHL Southern Ice), 28, Flora Manciet 21 (DHL Southern Ice), Courtney Hancock (Inner Health Plus Northern NSW Hammers), and Chloe Jones (Citizen Northern QLD Lightning) 19 and training partners Chelsea McKenzie (Express Glass Southern NSW Blue Fins) and Alyce Bennett (Express Glass Southern NSW Blue Fins) 18.