ECKSTEIN AND FLOOD IN FINAL HIT OUT FOR KELLOGG'S NUTRI-GRAIN SERIES

January 8: Australia's leading Ironman and Ironwomen competitors will wind up their preparations for the opening rounds of the new-look Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series at respective carnivals on the Gold Coast and in Sydney this weekend.

Defending Nutri-Grain men's champion Shannon Eckstein will lead a host of stars including Australian champions Pierce Leonard and Kristyl Smith and Matt Poole at the Oceans 38 carnival at North Burleigh on Saturday and Sunday while defending women's champion Naomi Flood will have her final hit out in a host of events at the Queenscliff carnival on Sydney's Northern Beaches tomorrow.

The opening rounds of the $250,000 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series will be conducted at Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast on January 16 and 17 with the "Dash For Cash" and "Accumulator" rounds.

Eckstein will contest the heats and semi-finals of the individual ironman, swim, ski and board events at North Burleigh tomorrow before the finals on Sunday afternoon.

"It will be good to have a hit out after all the training we've done," said Eckstein, who is itching to get started on a season that reverts to individual racing and sees new race  formats and increased prizemoney.

"I can't wait to get going and this weekend will provide everyone with an opportunity to see where they're at."

Defending Australian Ironwoman champion and last year's Series runner-up Kristyl Smith is another who is craving competition.

"I've only really had two carnivals this season so to race this weekend is crucial to the opening rounds of the Series," said Smith.

"There are such different formats in this season's Series you can't afford to be underdone. I will race all of the individual events including the Ironwoman to get as much racing under my belt as I can."

Flood, who has spent the off-season training with Manly's leading men, including Australian single ski champion Murray Stewart, will have a busy weekend of teams and individual events at the Queenscliff carnival.

"Apart from the Taplin Relay, double ski and ski relay events I have also entered the Ironwoman and the single ski, but I'll just see how I feel on the day," said Flood.

The baby of the Series, 16-year-old Amy Nurthen from Terrigal will also take to the Ironwoman event at Queenscliff tomorrow as she prepares for her debut in the professional series.

"I'm very excited about qualifying for this year's Series and can't wait to get to the Gold Coast to begin the Series," said Nurthen.

"It will be good to race at Queenscliff - especially against Naomi."