Ironman great Shannon Eckstein to finish professional career this summer

SHANNON Eckstein will call an end to his professional ironman career this summer, lining up in his final race at the Australian titles at Broadbeach in April.

SHANNON Eckstein will call an end to his professional ironman career this summer, lining up in his final race at the Australian titles at Broadbeach in April.

Eckstein is widely regarded as the greatest ironman of all time, having won nine Nutri-Grain series titles as well as eight Australian ironman championships and six world crowns.

But with an offer from Gold Coast property developers Villa World to pursue a new career and the difficulty in making a living from ironman racing, Eckstein has decided to call it quits.

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Ironman great Shannon Eckstein will retire from professional racing at the end of the summer. Photo: Supplied

“I’m committed to doing my last ironman at Broadbeach in April,” Eckstein said.

“I’ve lined up a good job at Villa World and I’m working part-time there now with the future to start full-time in May.

“When you get an opportunity like that, it looks like this will be my last year.”

Eckstein, who ranks with Trevor Hendy as the greatest ironman of all time, would love another title to go out on.

The 35-year-old will line up in three major championships this summer — the world titles in Adelaide next month, the Nutri-Grain ironman series, and the Aussies at Broadbeach. And he said he would be content to retire with a win in any of the three.

But with a 10th series championship on the line, Eckstein is expected to chase a history-making victory.

Already he has won more series, more world championships and more Australian titles than any other ironman in history.

Nutri-Grain IRONMAN and IRONWOMAN Series. at Fairhaven beach Ironman winner Shannon Eckstein Picture: Mark Wilson.

And after bypassing the individual Coolangatta Gold, he can be expected to start the series at Queenscliff in just under a fortnight with a bang.

“For me, it’s Ocean6, worlds and the Australian title. If I can win one of those it will be a good year,” he said.

“I’ve sort of been chasing (that 10th series title). Two years ago I lost by a point to Pooley (Matt Poole) and last year I just never really got my teeth into the series.

“I rolled my ankle, and I won one round, so I still had good form but you’ve got to be consistent to win a series.

“It’d be nice to get that 10 but if I won a Kellogg’s, worlds or Aussies, it’d be a good year.”

Eckstein admitted he had not been consistent enough to contend for the title last summer. While he won a round in Victoria, Eckstein also had as horror series by his high standards, rolling his ankle and losing his ski in a race at Coolum to finish fifth overall.

Shannon Eckstein of Northcliffe takes out gold in the Open Mens Ironman Final at the Australian SLSC Titles in Maroochydore. Photo Lachie Millard

“The last two years I haven’t been so consistent, I’ve raced well but not as consistent as I’d like to be,” he said.

“I’d like to be consistent this year and really get my confidence level up in racing the top guys.”