SHANNON GIVES RIVALS DOUBLE TROUBLE

January 17: Surf superstar Shannon Eckstein made it two wins from two rounds of the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series with another commanding performance at Kurrawa Beach today.

Eckstein (Northcliffe) backed up yesterday's round one win with a powerhouse performance in today's Accumulator races to finish well clear of Hugh Dougherty (Tugun) and Ky Hurst (Kurrawa).

The Accumulator round saw competitors contest ski, board and swim races and their combined times were used to decide the handicap start of the deciding traditional Ironman race, with the fastest competitor starting first.

Courtesy of wins in the board and ski races, Eckstein was first away, just one second ahead of Tugun's Sam Hamilton and nine seconds in front of Dougherty.

Tough enough to beat when he starts on level terms with his rivals, Eckstein seemed a racing certainty with his advantage on handicap and that's how the race turned out.

"It's an interesting format and it's hard to be the bunny out there in front," he said.

"If you make no mistakes it's probably all right.

"I had a couple of looks around and they weren't really gaining on me so I swam fairly conservatively and had enough in the bag."

The series leader worked hard in the opening ski leg of the ironman final to get himself onto a small wave that gave him an early advantage he wasn't about to give up.

With wins in the opening two rounds, Eckstein is ideally placed to take out his fifth Nutri-Grain series.

"Last year I had three wins, a second and a third and to me that sort of consistency felt unbelievable," he said.

"To start with two wins is a big thrill and I'm looking to better than last year so if I can do that I'll be stoked."

Earlier today, Hayley Bateup won a dramatic sprint to the finish line to take out round two of the Ironwoman series ahead of Kristyl Smith and Alicia Marriott.

Rounds three and four of the Ironman and Ironwoman series will be contested at Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast on February 6-7.