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Eight-time champion Shannon Eckstein has bounced back from a poor effort a day earlier to win the second leg of the Nutri-Grain Ironman series at Smiths Beach in Western Australia.
Eckstein was a frustrated surf ironman after placing eighth in flat conditions in Saturday’s opening round, when Ali Day triumphed as a wildcard, capping a great comeback following a 12-month sabbatical from the sport.
Determined to resurrect his title campaign, Eckstein faced similar conditions on Sunday but ripped in to win from Day.
“I thought no matter what the conditions are I just have to have a go,” said Eckstein.
“I am hurting more than I have in a few years. Ali’s flying so it is good to get some points back.”
Day now leads the six-race series ahead of races three and four in Surfers Paradise on December 20 and 21.
“It is a great start to the series but I am not going to get too far ahead of myself and there is a long way to go,” Day said.
Liz Pluimers made a perfect start, winning both races, to take a commanding lead in the women’s series.
“I am stoked and tried to lead from the front and hold on as long as I could and this sets up a great series,” she said.
Reigning champion Courtney Hancock finished eighth on Sunday after placing second in round one and said she’ll have to regroup as she chases her fourth title.
“I have to take it on the chin and this might give me some more fire for the next four (races),” she said.
“I definitely made it hard for myself and this is my worst result in three or four years.
“This time last year I had a bit of a gap on the others. I am the underdog now and have got to use this different mindset.”
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