IRONMAN STARS SWAMPED BY SCHOOLKIDS
February 3: Three of Australia's hottest surf sports stars Matt Poole, Alicia Marriott and Gemma Newbiggen were swamped by 400 school kids on the Sunshine Coast today in the lead up to this weekend's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series at Alexandra Headland.
Poole and Newbiggen attended the Currimundi State School while Coolangatta Gold winner and former Australian champion Marriott attended the Mooloolaba State School, all three addressing the Year 4-7 students.
"It was a lot of fun...the kids were great and willing to participate and they asked plenty of questions," said Poole, currently lying fourth in the Series behind Shannon Eckstein, Hugh Dougherty and Ky Hurst.
"They were interested in what we all ate for breakfast and did we ever seen any sharks...kids are kids.
"But we signed a lot of autographs and gave away our special cards and it was great to mix with the youngsters who will be at the beach on Saturday and Sunday."
Marriott was swamped by 250 kids at Mooloolaba State School, from Year 4-7 who will be at Alexandra Headlands on the weekend cheering on their local hero.
"I think there will be a lot of kids at the beach on the weekend and the atmosphere should be fantastic - I'm looking forward to racing and the more support from the local kids the better," said Marriott.
- All the action starts on Saturday with Round Three at 11.15am and continues on Sunday with Round Four at 11.15am.
FAST FACTS....
START TIMES
Saturday February 6 - 11.15am - (Ironwoman races followed by Ironmen)
Sunday February 7 - 11.15am - (Ironwoman races followed by Ironmen)
DATES AND LOCATIONS
Round 1 16 January 2010 Kurrawa (Gold Coast)
Round 2 17 January 2010 Kurrawa (Gold Coast)
Round 3 6 February 2010 Alexandra Headland (Sunshine Coast)
Round 4 7 February 2010 Alexandra Headland (Sunshine Coast)
Round 5 21 February 2010 North Cronulla (Sydney)
SEVEN NETWORK BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Sunday 17 January 2010 12-2pm
Sunday 31 January 2010 12-2pm
Sunday 7 February 2010 12-2pm
Sunday 14 February 2010 12-2pm
Sunday 21 February 2010 11.30am - 1.30pm
*Check local guides for more details
FORMATS
Round 3: "The Sprint"
Athletes will be divided into two semi finals based on their ranking in the series after two rounds. They will take on a sprint course.
Semi final one will have all the odd ranked athletes (i.e. 1st, 3rd, 5th... and so on), while semi final two will have the evens (i.e. 2nd, 4th, 6th etc). There will be prize money for the winners of each semi final.
Final A will include the top 5 athletes from each semi final to make up a 10 person A final. Final B will include the bottom 5 athletes from each semi final to make up a 10 person B final. The remaining prize money will be distributed amongst the top 8.
Racing order for Semis and Finals - Board / Ski / Swim
Round 4: "Athletes' Choice"
Race 1 - Traditional Ironman/Ironwoman course (ski, board, Swim)
The athletes will race on a traditional Ironman/Ironwoman course. The first athlete that crosses the finish line will collect $1000 and a clock will be started with a 1 min 30 second count down on it. All the competitors that also cross the finish line within the 1 min 30 second will compete in race two. Any athlete who does not cross the finish line within the 1 min 30 second cut off will be eliminated.
Race 2 - Traditional Ironman/Ironwoman course (board, swim, ski)
Race two will also be a traditional Ironman/Ironwoman course which is where the major round prize money and series points are up for grabs.