Matt Poole records stunning Shannon Eckstein win in final professional race

Matt Poole has revealed whether his Shannon Eckstein Classic win will prompt him to delay retirement while Hannah Sculley has produced a masterclass to win the women’s ironman.

MATT Poole says he isn’t second-guessing his decision to retire after securing a fairytale win in the final professional race of his career.

Poole produced one of the races of his career to win the Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic and pocket the $20,000 in prizemoney in front of a huge crowd at his home club of Northcliffe on Saturday.

The 33-year-old trailed Kaan Karadag and Matt Bevilacqua after the opening board leg in six foot swell but a decision to attack a the buoy with a straighter line, while others allowed more room for the affects of the sweep, resulted in Poole coming out of the swim leg in first.

Matt Poole won the Shannon Eckstein Classic. Picture: Shane Myers

Poole then navigated some tricky conditions heading out on the ski, giving up time by heading north to avoid being smashed by waves, before flying down the face of another wave to sail to victory.

“That is unbelievable,” Poole said post-race.

“Last year I came so close and got second to Jacko (Jackson Maynard) in a sprint finish.

“I wanted to win (Round 6 of the) Nutri-Grain (Series) last week and got second in a sprint finish.

SEE OUR FULL PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE SHANNON ECKSTEIN CLASSIC

“It was so crazy out there. Literally, any one of the 20 guys could have won that.

“I had a pretty good start on the board and I had a good swim. Going out on that ski I kept hunting a long way north. I thought it was going to come back to bite me but it let me out and I came in to a tussle with Bevy (Bevilacqua) in the end. I’m stoked

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared going out on the ski.”

Poole was emotional while detailing his desire to leave the professional ranks as a winner.

“It’s one thing to want to win a race and it’s another to execute and do it,” he said.

“I bloody wanted that so much and I got it.”

Poole said he wasn’t tempted to delay retirement on the back of the victory.

“I am absolutely retired. Put a fork in me, I’m done. That is all she wrote.”

In the women’s race Northcliffe athlete Hannah Sculley put on a masterclass in the ocean to win $20,000.

Sculley led from start to finish, breaking away on the board leg before retaining her position through the swim and ski.

Hannah Sculley won the Shannon Eckstein Classic. Picture: Shane Myers

Sculley was thrown from her ski in the final stages of the ski but not even that was enough to stop her, with the champion holding on to her craft which took her into the beach.

“It’s awesome to win the Shannon Eckstein Classic, one of the most prestigious races going around,” Sculley said.

“Last year me and Georgia (Miller) were out the back and a rogue wave got us so I feel like it is a bit of redemption to take the win.

“I’m not 100 per cent (sure what I’ll spend the money on. I’ll put it in savings and maybe buy a house eventually.”