The Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic is back in 2020 and will feature a couple’s board rescue event plus $90,000 in prize money
Surf life saving’s most lucrative weekend is back in 2020 and it’s all in the name of love.
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SURF life saving’s most lucrative weekend is back in 2020 and it’s all in the name of love.
The Shaw and Partners Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic launched in March this year and will return on February 14 and 15 2020 to coincide with the weekend of Valentine’s Day.
In addition to the huge $90,000 prize pool on offer to competitors, the event will also feature a mixed board rescue race where couples can put their affection on the line in the dash for love.
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It’s enough to tempt 2018/19 Nutri-Grain series winner Georgia Miller to team up with her partner, Australian Olympian sprint canoeist Riley Fitzsimmons, for the ultimate Valentine’s Day couple pursuit.
“I just need him to get on a board full stop,” she said.
“He’s out on his kayak all the time so fingers crossed there’s a bit of a wave on so we can catch one in.
“We might sink the board but we’ll see!”
With $20,000 on the line for the winner of the men’s and women’s open iron events and $10,000 for the dash for cash races, Kurrawa star Matt Poole has already begun to dream of how he may spend the winner’s purse.
“You’d be crazy not to put your foot on the line,” he said.
“I think some might put it towards more sensible, mature decisions but I’d probably go straight down to Burleigh Pavilion and put a bit on the bar!”
After retiring from the sport following the Aussies in April, Shannon Eckstein said that he might be tempted to put his foot on the line again following a successful Coolangatta Gold team race.
“At this stage, I don’t think I’ll be racing but you never know, if the surf was good and looked interesting I might,” he said.
“Last year was a testimonial race to finish my career but it was so successful that it’s on again.
“It’s great to leave a legacy to the sport.
“I’m looking forward to showcasing traditional iron racing.”
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