ECKSTEIN STILL CHASING HOLMES FOR SLICE OF IRONMAN HISTORY
February 16: Shannon Eckstein will still have Zane Holmes in his sights when he arrives into Sydney this week for Sunday's Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series final at North Cronulla - even though Holmes will not be on the start line.
Eckstein will start favourite to win his fifth Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman title - joining Holmes at the top of the overall Series leader-board as the only Ironmen to win the prestigious title five times.
Holmes, who finished second to Eckstein last year, withdrew from the 2010 Series with a nagging back injury, making Eckstein a clear favourite for this year's event.
The 26-year-old from Northcliffe has won three of the four rounds this year and holds a six point buffer over Tugun's Hugh Dougherty and 14 points clear of Ky Hurst going into Sunday's final.
The top six male and female competitors will qualify for a contract for next season.
"This is what I train for, this is what it's all about," says Eckstein, who has been in scintillating form all season.
"To win a fifth title would be special and to match Zane would certainly be something to be proud of.
"It's a shame injury forced him out of the Series - we have had some great duels over the years.
"It has already been an exciting year but it is not over until Sunday afternoon and I know the other guys, particularly Hugh and Ky would love nothing better than to win the final.
"The surf can toss up all kinds of unknowns and I know North Cronulla is renowned for its surf, so anything is possible."
After chalking up wins in rounds one and two at Kurrawa, there was talk of a clean sweep but a "killer wave" from Hurst in round three at Alexandra Headland sunk his chances in an exciting finish which saw the Olympian climb onto "a bomb" which swept him from last to first.
Eckstein knows Hurst will be lurking and chasing a final round win to finish the Series on a high note.
The women's Series is one of the closest in years with three-time Coolangatta Gold winner Hayley Bateup chasing her maiden Ironwoman Series victory.
Bateup leads the series on 74 points after chalking up a win, a second, third and fourth - just two points clear of reigning Coolangatta Gold winner and former Australian Ironwoman champion Alicia Marriott (72), with defending champion Naomi Flood next on 70 points.
The race is on for the women's crown and as in the men's field the race is also on for positions in the top six to qualify for next season.
SHANNON ECKSTEIN DEAD SET LEGENDS INTERVIEW {audio}/images/stories/news-articles/audio/shannon eckstein on deadset legends Feb 20.mp3{/audio}
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KELLOGG'S NUTRI-GRAIN IRONMAN SERIES - Progressive pointscore after round 4: MEN - Shannon Eckstein 79 Hugh Dougherty 73 Ky Hurst 65 Rhys Drury 60 Alaistar Day 56 Corey Jones 52 Pierce Leonard 51 Nathan Smith 47 Dylan Newbiggin 45 Matt Poole 44 Cory Hill 42 Chris Allum 41 Sam Hamilton 39 James Stewart 36 Jono Stock 25 Daniel Moodie 24 Mark Simpson 22 Alex Tibbits 11 Mitchell Miller 11 Josh Minogue 8 Cameron Gordon 5 Samuel Hunt 4 WOMEN - Hayley Bateup 74 Alicia Marriott 72 Naomi Flood 70 Elizabeth Pluimers 63 Courtney Hancock 61 Kristyl Smith 60 Rebecca Creedy 49 Terri Sullivan 46 Bonnie Hancock 45 Brodie Moir 43 Gemma Newbiggin 41 Amy Nurthen 40 Flora Manciet 33 Allira Richardson 32 Alyce Bennett 22 Sheree Merryful 22 Kelly-Anne Perkins 20 Harriet Brown 17 Katie Graham 16 Casey Leo-Litzow 10 Jessica Walker 4 |
FAST FACTS....
START TIMES
Sunday February 21 - 11.30am - (Ironwoman races followed by Ironmen)
DATES AND LOCATIONS
Round 5 21 February 2010 North Cronulla (Sydney)
SEVEN NETWORK BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Sunday 21 February 2010 11.30am - 1.30pm
*Check local guides for more details
FORMATS
Round 5 (FINAL): "The Eliminator"
The finale to the series will be the same eliminator format as in 2009.
The only difference is that the first two races will also carry prize money for the winners.
Race 1: Swim / Ski / Board, 20 athletes down to 15
Race 2: Ski / Board / Swim, 15 athletes down to 10
Race 3: Board / Swim / Ski, Top 10 race in final