LEONARD AND POOLE IN SHOCK ELIMINATION IN IRONMAN FINAL

aussies logo 1.jpgApril 10: In a major shock defending champion Pierce Leonard and leading contender Matt Poole have been eliminated from this afternoon's Ironman final at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.


The pair failed to qualify in the top eight in a hotly contested second semi-final won by Kurrawa's four time champion Ky Hurst.

Three time champion Shannon Eckstein looked comfortable in winning the first semi final.

Northcliffe's Liz Pluimers won a frantic sprint to the line to win the open women's board final from Alyce Bennett from North Burleigh and four time champion Hayley Bateup from Kiurrawa while Metropolitan Caloundra's Cory Jones won gold in his first ever Australian board race final just edging out Mooloolaba's rising star Dane Windshuttle in a sprint finish with Poole salvaging a well deserved bronze medal.

The men's double ski went to Trigg Island pair Brendon Sarson and Rhys Baker while Northcliffe duo Bonnie Hancock and Kelly Jury took out the women's double ski final. 

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The under 19 surf races saw promising Australian open water swimmer George O'Brien from Kurrawa take the gold medal to win his first Australian championship while in the women's race the Michael Bohl coached still water swimmer Rebecca Pegg from Maroochydore out surfed Hannah Lemke from Cooks Hill and Pegg's Maroochydore team mate and Australian open surf race winner Miranda Bell.

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Manly's Devon Halligan won her second gold medal of the titles when she took out the under 19 women's board, following her win with team mates Candice Falzon and Naomi Flood in yesterday's open women's Taplin relay. 

START LISTS:

Open Ironman Final: Jack Hansen (Mooloolaba) Hugh Dougherty (Tugun) Ali Day (Warilla / Barrack Point) Phillip Clayton (Kurrawa) Shannon Eckstein (Northcliffe) Jarrad Cain (Cudgen Headland) Trent Martin (Avoca Beach) Christopher Allum (Cronulla) B Wes Erg (North Burleigh) Ky Hurst (Kurrawa) Caine Eckstein (Kurrawa) Cory Hill (Northcliffe) Thomas Trembath (North Burleigh) Josh Minogue (Mooloolaba) Dylan Newbiggin (Mooloolaba) Corey Jones (Met Caloundra)

Open Ironwoman Final: Alicia Marriott (Mooloolaba) Elizabeth Pluimers (Northcliffe) Courtney Hancock (Northcliffe) Rebecca Creedy (Met Caloundra) Stephanie Cronin (Met Caloundra) Candice Falzon (Manly) Tenille Kenny (Tallebudgera) Devon Halligan (Manly) Brodie Moir (North Burleigh) Allira Richardson (Mooloolaba) Alyce Bennett (North Burleigh) Miranda Davies (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park) Bonnie Hancock (Northcliffe) Joanna Baxter (Terrigal) Danielle Allen (Mooloolaba) Casey Leo-Litzow (Northcliffe)