THE BIGGER THE BETTER SAYS HAYLEY BATEUP
February 4: Triple Coolangatta Gold winner Hayley Bateup is hoping rounds three and four of the 2010 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series at Alexandra Headland this weekend serves up some big surf - she'll be ready for it.
"The bigger it is the better I'll like it actually," said 30-year-old Bateup, who suffered a perforated eardrum and had her board snapped in half in heavy two-metre conditions at last year's Sunshine Coast round at Coolum.
"I know what happened to me last year was pretty bad but big surf can hopefully attract people to the beach to watch it and make for great television - I say bring it on."
Bateup, who broke a recent drought of major short course victories with a stunning round two victory on her home beach Kurrawa in round two, has suffered from a "heavy cold" since that win two weeks ago.
"But I'm over it now and I'm ready to race in what is developing into one of the most competitive women's Series I can remember," said Bateup.
"There is so much depth in the women field it's amazing and people are really excited about it.
"I have people coming up talking to me about it and it is very encouraging. In the past there have been great rivalries between Karla Gilbert and Reen Corbert and then Kristy Harris came along.
"But any one of say five or six of the top girls can win the Ironwoman Series."
After the opening two rounds Bateup is currently in second place behind round one winner Alicia Marriott (38 points), on countback from five-time runner-up Kristyl Smith (37pts), defending champion Naomi Flood (35), 2008 Series winner Liz Pluimers (33) with Courtney Hancock on 27.
The round three "Sprint" format will see the country's top 20 Ironmen and 20 Ironwomen divided into two respective semi-finals.
The draw is based on the Series points the odd numbers in semi-final A and the even numbers in semi-final B with the top five finishers in each semi-final advancing to a 10 man final.
Semi-final A will see Marriott, Smith and Pluimers and the experienced Terri Sullivan while semi-final B will see Bateup against Flood, Hancock and emerging NSW Central Coast teenager Amy Nurthen.
Meanwhile in the men's event, defending champion and 2010 Series leader Shannon Eckstein will have to be on his game from the opening gun.
The A semi-final will see Eckstein up against comeback king Ky Hurst (third overall) and defending Australian champion Pierce Leonard.
Between them this trio have won no less than nine Australian open Ironman championships, Eckstein three, Hurst (four) and Leonard (two).
"The pace will be on in the semi-finals that's for sure and with the swim last it means you will really have to go for it," said Eckstein.
"It will be interesting to see what kind of swell actually gets in to Alex but with the Headland there it is bound to be tricky."
Also chasing top five spots in the first semi-final will be Coolangatta Gold winner Rhys Drury and emerging stars Cory Hill, Dylan Newbiggin, James Stewart and Sam Hamilton.
Semi-final B will see second-placed Hugh Dougherty on top of the rankings with last year's round three winner Matt Poole, 2010 discovery Ali Day, Sunshine Coast local Corey Jones, one of the few Ironmen to take a race off Shannon Eckstein and former National champion Nathan Smith.
Sunday's round four format is the "Athlete's Choice" round which see a traditional Ironman race with a 1 minute 30 time limit (starting after the race one winner).
Only those competitors who finish within the 1 minute 30 limit will progress to the final.