ECKSTEIN AND FLOOD TAKE THE DOUBLE AT RESCUE 2008

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA, July 30: WARNEMUNDE, GERMANY: Less than five days after they took the World Ironman and Ironwoman titles representing Australia, Shannon Eckstein (Northcliffe) and Naomi Flood (Manly) have once again out raced a world class field to win the two major titles, this time representing their respective clubs. LAUREN RYAN REPORTS...

Split into several competitions, Eckstein and Flood were among on twelve athletes who represented Australia at the National Teams event last week, helping to spear the Aussies to victory World Lifesaving Championships (Rescue 2008) with notable wins in the Ironman and Ironwoman races.

This time wearing their Club colours and joining more than 3,000 competitors from all over the world for the World Interclub Championships, Eckstein and Flood took their respective Ironman and Ironwoman crowns ahead of an impressive line up.

Today was the final ocean and beach events as part of the World Interclub Championships at Warnemünde, with more than 27 Clubs from Australia lining up.

For Eckstein it was a long time coming after loosing the World Ironman crown to his training partner and team mate Zane Holmes back in 2004.

Holmes was searching for this third consecutive title, but Eckstein was too powerful in the end and put distance between him and Holmes to take out the title convincingly.

Eckstein led the Ironman final from start to finish, with Holmes sitting comfortably in second place most of the way. Eckstein got a good start in the surf ski and was able to maintain that lead throughout the board leg.

But it was in the final swim leg that he made his move, separating himself from the pack and ensuring it didn't come down to a run up the beach for the finish.

"I had to make sure I was well in front of Zane after the swim, because if it comes to a run up the beach, nine times out of ten Zane will beat me," said Eckstein.

"This is for sure the one I wanted to win - before I left Australia I was flying in my training and felt really good, so I knew I had it in me.

"But after racing for eight days straight it's hard to keep backing up and to get the team points you need to do events you normally wouldn't do, like the beach relay and pool events.

"In saying that it's not hard to get pumped up for the Ironman - once you're on the line you know what you have to do," said Eckstein.

Flat conditions and a long sandbank provided close tight racing for competitors on the final day of the ocean events.

Eckstein led the race start to finish but he admitted in conditions like this, it isn't easy to do.

"When I'm racing in big surf I like to get out in front and just maintain the lead - but in conditions like this, it's much harder to stay out the front and hold the lead.

"I got away really well in the ski and then I had a good board leg. I had no idea how in front I was because I never looked back, I just kept going.

"I felt strong throughout the race and when I crossed the line I was just relieved.

"It has been a long eight days of racing but I'm pleased with my results for sure," he said.

Eckstein managed to edge out reining and two time World Ironman Zane Holmes with Eckstein's fellow Aussie team member Chris Allum taking out the final podium spot.

Allum's performance in the Ironman final was impressive, backing up immediately from the Open Male Surf Race, which he took out in a run up the beach.

It has been the same story for Allum throughout his Rescue 2008 campaign, drawing on all is energy to come from behind and finish with a medal in all his ocean events.

Taking out the Surf Race at the 2008 Aussies, Allum added the World Surf Race title to his name and then went to claim bronze in the Ironman final.

For Naomi Flood, she may have Kristy Munroe on a pedestal, but when there is the one title on the line that she has worked so hard for, she wasn't about to the let chance pass her by.

Flood lined up next to defending World Ironwoman Munroe in the Ironwoman Final and both had a good chat before the start gun - Munroe said if she had to loose the title, she wanted it to go to ‘Floody'.

"It was always going to be a challenge taking three in a row, but as I told Floody before the race if I to loose to someone I wanted it to be to her," she said.

"Naomi finished second to me at Rescue 2006, so it nice for her to be able to come out on top," said Munroe.

For Naomi, there was no wiping the smile off her face, having earlier that day taking out the World Surf Ski title.

"To be honest, I'm glad it's all over - but at the same time I'm on a massive high and I don't think it has really hit me yet," she said.

"I won the swim and board back in 2004 and now I have all four major titles after winning the Ironwoman and ski today.

"I finished second to Kristy in both the ski and Ironwoman at the last World Championships so it is nice for me to be able to finish on top," said Flood.

Flood has pushed herself to the limit over the past eight days of racing and she admits it has been challenging.

"The pressure you put on yourself as a member of the Australian Team as well as all the hype leading into these Worlds has been tough - it's hard to stay up and be pumped for eight days straight of racing.

"It is like doing the Aussies twice - it really is that full on," she said.

Flood came out of the first ski leg back in sixth spot behind Munroe in fifth - both Ironwomen put in an impressive ski leg, overtaking the field with Munroe out in front and Flood narrowly behind her.

It was in the final swim leg that Flood made her move, overtaking Munroe and powering home to cross in first place convincingly.

"I'm just stoked! I know it hasn't sunk in yet and when it does it will be special," said Flood.

For retiring Ironwoman star Kristy Munroe, this was her last professional Ironwoman race but she held herself together very well.

"I gave it my all and I kept saying to myself just do what you can," she said.

"Floody earned it and I'm really happy for her - I'm actually feeling okay and I'm holding myself together well after an emotional finish with the Aussie team.

"I knew I had to make my move in the ski and if I didn't come out in front for that one I wouldn't get up in the end.

"There were no waves out there to give any assistance so you really had to work for it - I know I did everything I could," said Munroe.

A RARE WAVE A DREAM COME TRUE FOR CURRUTHERS

Warnemünde is not known for its waves but when the barges head out into the Baltic Sea, the backwash creates a series of waves - thankfully for North Burleigh's Daniel Curruthers it came in time for his board final.

It was an impressive line up in the Board Final at Rescue 2008 today and although he wasn't tipped to take the title, Curruthers emerged as the new World Board Champion after he picked up runners created from the barge that went by as he was returning to shore.

"I felt these runners under my board and I thought just keep going, keep going - and next thing I had made more than 10 metres and hit the front," said an ecstatic Curruthers.

"This is the biggest win of my career, it seriously hasn't hit me yet I'm still in shock.

"I got a dream start and I just sat in on Shadey's (Daniel Shade) wash and stayed in there around the apex can.

"Next thing I know a barge has come by and there were these runners right where I was - I couldn't believe it.

"My coach Mike Murray has taken on different training styles over the past two months, he asked me to put my trust in him and see if it pays off and it has, big time!

"I knew I was paddling well, I won my heats, semis and now the final.

"Heading into the Worlds this was the event I was focused on and this is the one I wanted really bad, I just can't believe it's all happened," he said.

Curruthers took gold ahead of Zane Holmes (Northcliffe) and Daniel Shade, with former World Board Champion Shannon Eckstein finishing back in fifth spot.

GOLD COAST BEACHIES TAKE OUT BEACH FLAGS HONOURS

Australian Beach Flags Champions Simon Harris (Northcliffe) and Melissa Howard (Kurrawa) have added another world title to their name after both taking out the World Male and Female Beach Flags titles respectively.

It was an Aussies rematch, with Harris and Paul Cracroft-Wilson (Fitzroy, NZ) in the final two and Howard meeting her counterpart from Aussies Cara Langendam (Bulli) in her final.

Howard got off to a great start and with Langendam stumbling, Howard was able to come home easy and take the winning flag.

"This is my second world beach flags title and I'm really happy," she said.

"I have been working hard for this and didn't have any time off after Aussies so I would be ready for the World Champs.

"It is really hard training all year round and I'm quite tired now that it is all finished - but I'm really happy with the result," said Howard.

For three time World Beach Flags champion Harris, victory is still just as sweet after taking the title numerous times before.

"Well Paul and I have a good rivalry and that is something that I hadn't in previous years so it keeps me going," he said.

"I'm 33 years old so I am getting on and I competed with tendonitis in both my knees, so I'm pleased to be able to get the world title again.

"I just enjoy it all now - I don't think anyone has taken three world beach flags titles in a row before so I've done that now. What happens from here I'm not too worried, I'm just enjoying the fact that I'm here," said Harris.

Harris' Northcliffe team mates had their usual impressive day on the beach, winning both the Male and Female Taplin Relays, the Female Board Relay thanks to the Hancock sisters and Elizabeth Pluimers took out the Board Race.

Today was the final day of competition for the ocean and beach events at Warnemünde, with competitors taking tomorrow off to travel to Berlin for pool rescue events which will start Thursday and run through until Saturday 2 August.

For full results from today's finals visit www.rescue2008.com