INJURY FORCES HOLMES OUT OF KELLOGG'S NUTRI-GRAIN IRONMAN SERIES
December 30: An ongoing back injury has forced five time Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series Champion, Zane Holmes, out of the 2010 Series and the remainder of the season.
Holmes today confirmed that the injury, which has affected the discs in his lower back, has prevented him from full training for the last three to four months.
‘'After consultation with a number of people, I've made the difficult decision to not race for at least the next three months," he said.
The 27 year old Ironman, who finished runner-up to Shannon Eckstein in the 2009 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series, said he still has the desire to compete at the elite level and doesn't want this injury to affect his racing in the future.
"It's been a hard decision but in the end I needed to think long-term to ensure that this injury doesn't worsen and potentially, be career ending," he said.
"I want to continue to compete at my best - but unfortunately these injuries need three to six months of complete rest with no training and no racing.
"Ski paddling and board paddling are probably two of the worst things you could do for an injury like this and the last thing I want to do is push it, because the next steps would be surgery and that is what I want to avoid.
"I've tried remedies over the years and spent a lot trying to get it right, but unfortunately there are no quick fixes.
"It has been a tough call to make and I have had to consider a lot of things over the last few months - I want to keep going in this sport for a few more years at least and I want to continue to be at my best, so I need to take the right steps for my recovery," he said.
Holmes, who has featured in the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series since the age of 15, will be a noticeable absence from the Series which he and Eckstein have dominated over the past eight years.
Surf Life Saving Australia's General Manager Sport, Grant Baldock, said it was disappointing to have one of the toughest Ironmen out of the Series.
"The Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series features the best Ironmen and Ironwomen in the country and Zane's absence from the 2010 Series will be disappointing," he said.
"Zane has remained at the top of the Series over a number of years - but the likes of current champion Shannon Eckstein, as well as Pierce Leonard, Matt Poole, Corey Jones and Nathan Smith are all certain to make this year's Series highly competitive.
"We are also looking forward to the return of Ky Hurst and Rhys Drury, along with a host of fresh faces, who are sure to make for exciting competition in the 2010 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series," said Baldock.
With Holmes out, North Burleigh's James Stewart will take his spot as the next best ranked athlete from the trial held in December on the Gold Coast.
Stewart, who missed out on securing a spot in the Series on a count-back, will now have a permanent spot in the Series.
Rounds 1 and 2 of the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series will be held on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January 2010 at Kurrawa Beach, Gold Coast.