THE Ironman and Ironwoman series returns with the most competitive line up ever to hit Smiths Beach for the Series Champion title.
Kicking off on November 29 and November 30, rounds one and two will unveil the toughest athletes, hungry for a spot on the podium.
The return of former Nutri-Grain Series and Coolangatta Gold Champion Ali Day, combined with the new and raw talent of qualifiers, Jackson Maynard and Luke Cuff, will make even the most confident athlete nervous.
Coolangatta Gold Champion Ali Day said this year everyone was determined to make a statement in their racing and it was going to be competitive in the water this season.
“I am so excited to be back racing again after a year off due to illness and injury and I feel strong in my training and I just have to wait for the day and put it all into action,” Day said.
It is set to be ferocious in the water for both the men and women with defending champions Shannon Eckstein and Courtney Hancock both looking to retain their title of Nutri-Grain Series Champion with Eckstein hoping for his ninth series win.
“It’s an amazing feeling to know that I am racing for my ninth title but at the same time there are lots of guys out there who want to stop me,” Eckstein said.
“I’m realistic that it won’t be simple but I also won’t give up the title easily so we are all going to be working hard come race day.”
Round one on Saturday November 29 is an M Shape format with the women’s race starting at 9.30am and the men’s race at 11.00am
Round two will be on Sunday November 30 and is an eliminator format.
The women’s race starts at 9.30am and the men’s race begins at 11.00am.
Rounds three and four will be held at Surfers Paradise Queensland on December 20 to 21 with Newcastle Beach NSW the location for rounds five and six on January 3 and 4.
