Pluimers Dominates Final to Claim Series Crown

Elizabeth Pluimers dominated the final round of the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series claiming the race victory along with the overall series title at Noosa Heads on the weekend. 

Liz went in to the final round trailing by 1 point from clubmate Kristyl Smith but dominated the eliminator format winning all 3 races in flat and hot conditions. In the final race, she broke the field with an extraordinary run leg between the swim and board legs. Kristyl Smith finished in 4th but claimed the series runner up title for the 6th time with Courtney Hancock rounding out the top 3 for a BMD Northcliffe Series Trifecta. Also in the top 10 with automatic qualification in to next series were BMD Northcliffe's Harriet Brown in 7th place and Bonnie Hancock in 10th place.

In the mens race, it was a changing of the guard with Shannon Eckstein's brother, Caine, dominating round 6 to also claim the overall series title. Shannon finished in 3rd place overall with Zane Holmes in 5th place.

For Round 6 Results Click Here

For Overall Series Results Click Here

Bonnie's Podium Performance

A big congratulations to Bonnie Hancock for her maiden podium result finishing 2nd  in round 5 of the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series at Coolum. It was Bonnie's best performance of an otherwise dissapointing season so far but she used that dissapointment to triumph yesterday. The result also puts her back in to contention for automatic qualification for next season's series. A good result in the final at Noosa will see her back in the top 10. Kristyl Smith was once again on the podium with a 3rd placing after fighting off clubmates Courtney Hancock & Elizabeth Pluimers and Noosa's Jordie Mercer, in a 4 way sprint to the line. Courtney ended up in 5th with Elizabeth in 6th. Kristyl now reclaims the black togs leading the overall series by 1 point in to the final race at Noosa this weekend. 

In the men's race there were more sprint finishes with the top 6 placing being decided in 2 way sprints. Shannon Eckstein was just pipped on the line for 3rd place by his brother Caine and Zane Holmes out-sprinted overall series leader, Ali Day to claim 5th place. It will be a tough ask, but not impossible, for Shannon to defend his series title, currently sitting in 3rd place, 12 points behind Ali. If Shannon could break through for his first win of the series in the final race, Ali finishes outside the top 7 and Shannon's brother, Caine, finishes out of the top 3, Shannon will claim the series.

For full round 5 results click here.

For overall series results click here.