TWO AND A CALF MEN
EXCLUSIVE: Surf great’s radical surgery to help clinch missing jewel in crown
SHANNON Eckstein will meet with a surgeon this week to discuss a radical procedure to help him win the only title missing from his glittering surf lifesaving resume – the Coolangatta Gold.
Australia’s greatest ironman plans to have muscle shaved from his calves to stop the severe cramping that has cruelled past bids in the iconic beach race.
October’s Coolangatta Gold has been dominated by Eckstein’s brother Caine (left) and Ali Day (right), who have claimed nine titles between them.
IRONMAN great Shannon Eckstein has ruled out retirement and instead revealed he is considering radical surgery to help him win the only title missing from his glittering surf lifesaving resume.
Eckstein yesterday fell just metres short of claiming a remarkable 10th Nutri-Grain series crown at North Cronulla, Sydney, when he was beaten in a sprint up the beach for the title by Kurrawa’s Matt Poole.
Already regarded as the greatest ironman of all time, Eckstein will return next year for another attempt at a 10th series title, but there is a bigger goal in his mind and that is to finally win the Coolangatta Gold.
Eckstein suffers from popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, a condition in which the dominant source of blood supply to the leg below the knee becomes compressed and leads to cramping and calf pain during exercise.
While Eckstein has completed the Gold on three occasions – finishing second, third and fourth – the altered run leg has the ironman legend eyeing a tilt at the title his younger brother Caine has won a record five times.
“I would want to do it if I had an operation after Aussies on my calves and then prepared for the Gold this year,’’ said Eckstein, who has already had surgery on each calf but is looking at a more radical procedure.
“I think when you get older, you need motivation and that’s something that would motivate me.
“I’d love to race Caine, I’d love to race Ali (four-time winner Ali Day). I’m not scared of that but I do want to do it as best as I can be.
“I just want to know that I can have a good, red hot crack.’’
Eckstein will meet with a surgeon this week to map out his plans, with surgery likely to come after this year’s Australian surf titles in April.
The 33-year-old concedes surgery may reduce his sprinting ability, but he desperately wants to complete the ironman holy grail of titles.
“Your shortcourse might not be that good but that’s the risk I’ve got to be prepared to take to do the Gold.’’
Eckstein was yesterday magnanimous in defeat, praising Poole for his series breakthrough and content in his own effort after Friday’s shocking toe injury that left him racing all weekend with pain-killing injections.
“I did the best I could,” he said. “It wasn’t ideal and I’m sure it’s going to be sore the next couple of days and I’ve just got to stave off the infection, look after it and get ready for Aussies now.’’