IRON IN THE FIRE
Big names dominate Iron X as debate rages
TWO of surf lifesaving’s most decorated names proved their adaptability to win yesterday’s inaugural Iron X crowns but the new format continues to divide the sport’s wider community.
While Caine Eckstein and Courtney Hancock savoured success at Mooloolaba, a number of other leading surf lifesaving athletes opted out of the event and took to social media to air their grievances in a show of solidarity.
TWO of surf lifesaving’s most decorated names have adapted emphatically to the sport’s newest format to emerge victorious in the inaugural NutriGrain Iron X race.
Five-time Coolangatta Gold champion Caine Eckstein and three-time NutriGrain
Ironwoman Series winner Courtney Hancock, who are based on the Gold Coast, overcame every obstacle to each claim $25,000 in prizemoney at Mooloolaba beach yesterday.
After moving clubs from Northcliffe to Surfers Paradise late last year, Hancock, 31, said she sought out club legends Trevor Hendy and Karla Gilbert in pursuit of the history-making win.
“Trevor just said to me to ‘just relax’... he told me I was born on the beach and in the ocean and to just relax,”
Hancock said. “She (Gilbert) taught me to paddle SUP (stand-up board paddling).
“She gave me confidence in that SUP and I was pretending I was her out there.
“I was so nervous (before the race) because it was the unknown of the race.
“Throughout my years I have never been the strongest athlete – it’s something I’ve always had to work hard at in the gym.”
A commanding final ski leg led to Hancock sealing the win ahead of Tiarrn Raymond and Emma Dick.
With its beach battleground course, underwater swimming leg and stand-up paddle board section in addition to traditional iron racing, the Iron X course was near purpose-made for Eckstein.
He overcame a precarious start, when he missed his
board handle on the sprint to the water, to win the inaugural men’s race.
“I was pretty nervous, to be honest,” he said.
“A lot of people put pressure on me, a lot of people thought I was going to win, expecting me to win and I didn’t know how any of these guys were going to go.”
Eckstein, 34, has been training for the past two months in anticipation of Iron X as well as pulling on the maroon star again for Northcliffe in the lead-up to Queensland and Australian titles.
Nutri-Grain Ironman Series champion Kendrick Louis came second while Tanyn Lyndon came third.
It’s believed Surf Life Saving Australia intends to persevere with the format and stage a second edition of Iron X next summer.