SIX POSITIONS FOR KELLOGG'S NUTRI-GRAIN SERIES NOW ON OFFER AT WILDCARD TRIALS

December 11: Surf Life Saving Australia today announced that the remaining six wildcard positions for the 2010 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series will be all based on performances at the ‘Wildcard Trials', rather than the traditional selectors' choice.

This follows one of the most competitive trial series in recent years, which saw over 130 Ironmen and Ironwomen battle for 22 positions in tricky conditions at Tugun last weekend.

The six places (three men and three women) will be determined from the "Wildcard Trials" to be staged the day before next year's rounds one and three and before the Series final on February 21.

The Trials will be conducted at:

Kurrawa on Friday, January 15
Alexandra Headlands on Friday, February 5 and;
North Cronulla on Saturday, February 20.

Originally the Australian selectors were to announce two wildcards (one male and one female) following the Tugun trials with the final four to be decided at the wildcard trials.

With the likes of 20-year series veteran Dean Mercer (injury) and long-standing Series competitor Wes Berg (glandular fever) both relying on wildcards for the men's series and just six points separating the last six women, selectors recommended that all remaining six places be decided at the three wildcard trials.

Last weekend's Tugun trial saw a tie for the 11^th position in the men's events between Jono Stock (Manly) and James Stewart (North Burleigh) with his fellow 2009 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series competitor Kendrick Louis just two points behind, with Stock taking the position on countback.

Mercer finished fourth in the opening Tugun trial final but tore his calf. After hobbling through his round two heat and semi-final he withdrew from competition.

Berg was recently diagnosed with glandular fever and doctors advised him not to contest the trials series.

Surf Life Saving Australia's General Manger Sport Grant Baldock said today: "Selectors deemed that given a significant number of wildcard applications received for both male and female wildcard positions and the quality of athletes in contention for wildcards, the fairest option was to have the final wildcard positions all up for grabs at the "Wildcard Trials."

"Given the high calibre of talent who missed qualification we believe it will be the best option to ensure all competitors in line for positions have another opportunity to make the Series.

"This will guarantee that the best possible fields will line up in what is shaping as one of the most exciting and competitive Series in many years."

In the men's final pointscore Stock and Stewart were tied on 84, with Stock going into the main draw on a countback with the better single performance in an A final with Louis (who just missed the A final in Sunday's third round) a further two points back on 82.

In the women's final pointscore just six points separated 11^th to 16^th with North Burleigh's noted Nutri-Grain Irowoman Alyce Bennett taking the final and 11^th position on 85 points.

Then followed Kurrawa's Madison Boon (84), Maroubra's Tara Coleman (83), Met Caloundra's Chloe Jones (81) and Harriett Brown (79).

WILDCARD TRIAL INFORMATION

The Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Wildcard Trials will be held over a traditional short course Ironman race conducted between 3:30 and 5.30pm.
Entries for the Round One and Two Trials will close on Wednesday, January 13.
SLSA will determine on the day whether there will be heats and finals, depending on the number of entries.

2010 KELLOGG'S NUTRI-GRAIN IRONMAN SERIES QUALIFIERS:

Ironman

Pre-qualified from 2009 Series

Shannon Eckstein (Northcliffe)
Zane Holmes (Northcliffe)
Matt Poole (Mooloolaba)
Pierce Leonard (Northcliffe)
Nathan Smith (Northcliffe)
Corey Jones (Met Caloundra)

Qualified from the Tugun Trial:

Rhys Drury (Dicky Beach)
Ky Hurst (Kurrawa)
Sam Hamilton (Tugun)
Hugh Dougherty (Tugun)
Chris Allum (Cronulla)
Cory Hill (Northcliffe)
Alastair Day (Warilla-Barrack Point)
Dylan Newbiggin (Mooloolaba)
Daniel Moodie (Northcliffe)
Mark Simpson (Cronulla)
Jono Stock (Manly)

Wildcard Trials (prior to rounds 1, 3 and 5)

Ironwomen

Pre-qualified from 2009 Series

Naomi Flood (Manly)
Kristyl Smith (Northcliffe)
Elizabeth Pluimers (Northcliffe)
Alicia Marriott (Mooloolaba)
Courtney Hancock (Northcliffe)
Gemma Newbiggin (Mooloolaba)

Qualified from the Tugun Trial:

Rebecca Creedy (Met Caloundra)
Hayley Bateup (Kurrawa)
Flora Manciet (Northcliffe)
Sheree Merryfull (Northcliffe)
Allira Richardson (Mooloolaba)
Amy Nurthen (Terrigal)
Bonnie Hancock (Northcliffe)
Terri Sullivan (Northcliffe)
Brodie Moir (North Burleigh)
Katie Graham (Northcliffe)
Alyce Bennett (North Burleigh)

Wildcard Trials (prior to rounds 1, 3 and 5)