NUTRI-GRAIN STARS GO WET ‘N WILD FOR A DAY

January 14: Three of the stars of the 2010 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain took a breather from their hectic training schedule to cool their heels at Wet ‘N Wild today.

Defending MEN'S champion Shannon Eckstein joined Ironwomen Liz Pluimers and Courtney Hancock and hundreds of holiday makers as the Gold Coast turned on another 30 plus day in the lead up to this weekend's opening rounds.

The trio signed autographs, posed for special photos and took on their fans in a series of tug-o-war challenges.

"It's great to get out and mix with the kids and it was good to see so many of them join in the fun of the day," said Eckstein.

"Hopefully we'll get a good crowd to Kurrawa on the weekend for what I'm sure will be two great days of racing."

Eckstein will be vying for a fifth title and even without three-time winner Zane Holmes, who is out injured, he knows it is going to be game on.

"We've got Ky Hurst back from his Olympic campaign last year and he's a four-time Australian Ironman champion - he's a great ironman who I haven't raced since we were 19.

"He is a great competitor who won't be turning up to run second that's for sure."

Pluimers knows what it's like to be on top of the podium but she too will be pushed all the way by Hancock, five-time runner-up Kristyl Smith, Hayley Bateup and defending champion Naomi Flood.

"It's probably one of the most competitive fields that has ever been assembled," said Pluimers.

This year's Series will feature 40 of Australia's leading Ironmen and Ironwomen vying for $250,000 in prizemoney.

The final three women and final three men in the 20-strong fields will be decided after tomorrow's Wildcard Trial at Kurrawa (3.30-5.30pm).

Saturday will see the new "Dash for Cash" round which will feature the best-of-the-best gamble on the money in a longer beach run or bank on a place in the final and the shorter course.

There is a $1000 cash bonus up for grabs at the end of each round - as the fields battle to stay alive in the elimination contest and places in the 10-man final.

Sunday's "Accumulator" round will see three individual board, ski and swim events before the ironman final with the emphasis on the clock, with time accumulating over the crucial first three races.

Rounds three and four of the 2010 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series will be on the Sunshine Coast at Alexandra Headlands on February 5 and 6 with the final scheduled for North Cronulla on February 21.