LEGEND TO BOW OUT
SHANNON Eckstein will call an end to his professional ironman career this summer, lining up in his final race at the Australian titles at Broadbeach in April.
Eckstein is widely regarded as the greatest ironman of all time, having won nine Nutri-Grain series titles as well as eight Australian ironman championships and six world crowns.
But with an offer from Gold Coast property developers Villa World to pursue a new career and the difficulty in making a living from ironman racing, Eckstein has decided to call it quits.
“I’m committed to doing my last ironman at Broadbeach in April,” Eckstein said.
“I’ve lined up a good job at Villa World and I’m working part-time there now with the future to start full-time in May.
“When you get an opportunity like that, it looks like this will be my last year.”
Eckstein, who ranks with Trevor Hendy as the greatest ironman of all time, would love another title to go out on.
The 35-year-old will line up in three major championships this summer – the world titles in Adelaide next month, the Nutri-Grain ironman series, and the Aussies at Broadbeach. And he said he would be content to retire with a win in any of the three.
But with a 10th series championship on the line, Eckstein is expected to chase a history-making victory.
Already he has won more series, more world championships and more Australian titles than any other ironman in history.
And after bypassing the individual Coolangatta Gold, he can be expected to start the series at Queenscliff in just under a fortnight with a bang.
“For me, it’s Ocean6, worlds and the Australian title. If I can win one of those it will be a good year,” he said.
“I’ve sort of been chasing (that 10th series title). Two years ago I lost by a point to Pooley (Matt Poole) and last year I just never really got my teeth into the series.
“I rolled my ankle, and I EMMA GREENWOOD’S GREATEST IRONMEN OF THE PRO SURF LIFESAVING ERA
1. Shannon Eckstein:
With nine NutriGrain series titles, eight Australian championships and six world crowns, even Hendy says the man known as “the professor” is the greatest of all time.
Probably the greatest oceanman of all time, Hendy won six Aussies, five series and four world crowns and was one of our most recognisable athletes in the 90s.
2. Trevor Hendy (far right):
won one round, so I still had good form but you’ve got to be consistent to win a series.
“It’d be nice to get that 10 but if I won a Kellogg’s, worlds or Aussies, it’d be a
good year.” Eckstein admitted he had not been consistent enough to contend for the title last summer. While he won a round in Victoria, Eckstein also had a horror series
by his high standards, rolling his ankle and losing his ski in a race at Coolum to finish fifth overall.
“The haven’t last been
3. Grant Kenny (left):
The man who started it all by winning the junior and senior Australian title in one day in 1980 and starring in the Coolangatta Gold movie that spawned a professional sport.
Won seven series titles and two Aussies crowns and dominated in the late 80s and early 90s
Just pips Guy Leech, Dwayne Thuys, Dean Mercer and Ali Day.
4. Darren Mercer: 5. Zane Holmes:
two years I so consistent,
I’ve raced well but not as consistent as I’d like to be,” he said. “I’d like to be consistent this year and really get my confidence level up in racing the top guys.”