ALI’S HUNT FOR GOLD
RECORD RUN ON THE LINE:
FOUR-TIME Coolangatta Gold champion Ali Day says the prospect of facing the man many regard as the greatest ironman of all time has spurred him on as he looks to equal the record for most wins in the torturous marathon.
Day’s showdown with Shannon Eckstein is shaping as a highlight of the race as the Surfers Paradise endurance specialist chases down the record held by Eckstein’s brother Caine.
Shannon Eckstein will line up in the Gold for the first time in a decade after successful surgery to help ease the pain and cramping in his calves caused by the condition popliteal artery entrapment syndrome.
And Day is looking forward to the challenge posed by one of the sport’s greats.
“If you went through the last four times I’ve won it there’s always been someone there or there’s been an obstacle or a challenge that I’ve had to overcome and I guess that’s a huge drawcard this year having Shannon in the field,” said Day, who overcame a calf injury last year to win his fourth Gold.
“I get to race arguably the greatest ironman in our sport over an event I love.
“So it’s going to be a really good race, it’s a really good challenge for me and it’s one of those things I’m going to look back on and go, I got to race that guy.
“It’s a challenge that I’m really excited about and I can’t wait until the gun goes and all of the nerves go away and you just get to get out there and do what you do.”
After winning in 2012, 2013, 2015 and last year, Day is just one win away from the record set by Caine Eckstein, who snared his first title in 2005 before winning four in succession from 2008-2011.
“When I first started doing these races it was always about doing the best that you could but when I’ve counted (the titles) off, I’d be lying to you if I said I hadn’t thought about (the record),” Day said.
“But when it comes into my mind, I’m like, ‘Ali stop thinking about that, it’s not about that’.
“It’s about literally breaking this race up into the four legs (swim, ski, board, run) and even before that, it’s about working hard in the training. The guy that wins on the Sunday is the guy that’s worked the hardest.
“There’s no luck in this race and whether I cross the line first or third or whatever, I know that I’ve done everything I could.
“That record, it’d be amazing to chase after but it’s never been a goal of mine to chase after the most Coolangatta Golds, it’s always been about doing the best I can on the day and if that record comes, it comes.”
For Day, the reward comes in pushing himself through months of preparation and over the 41.8km race course. “I thrive on that,” he said. “Just my personality, I love this race, I love training for it, I love being out there on my own and just grinding away.”
A Kellogg’s series winner in 2015, Day admitted the Gold was his top priority.
I GET TO RACE ARGUABLY THE GREATEST IRONMAN IN OUR SPORT OVER AN EVENT I LOVE ... ALI DAY