Shannon Eckstein wins record eighth ironman crown at Aussies on Sunshine Coast

SHANNON Eckstein has sealed his place as the greatest ironman of all time with a record eighth Australian title on the Sunshine Coast.

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

THERE was only one man who could catch Shannon Eckstein on the beach yesterday.

Eckstein snared a record eighth Australian crown when he mastered the tricky conditions at Maroochydore to street the classy ironman field.

Fittingly, the man to catch him as he emerged from the water was Grant Kenny, who put the sport on the map the last time the titles were held at Maroochydore in 1980 when he won the Australian junior and senior ironman titles.

Eckstein was so far ahead of Newport’s Dane Farrell and Max Beattie, from Surfers Paradise, Kenny was able to stop the Northcliffe champion and give him a hug as he ran to the finish line.

Shannon Eckstein (right) is congratulated by lifesaving great Grant Kenny on his way to the finish line for a record eighth Australian ironman title at Maroochydore beach. Photo: HARVPIX

“The first person I saw out of the water was my handler and then Grant was there so I gave him a hug on the way through,’’ Eckstein said.

“That day (in 1980) was a big day for the sport and to achieve something like that, it captures people’s imagination and they go: ‘Oh, what is that ironman racing?’

“So we owe a lot to Grant and his dad.’’

Kenny’s father Hayden, who won the first ever Australian ironman title in 1960, was also part of the celebrations, presenting Eckstein with his medal.

Eckstein’s win, his third Australian title in succession, was incredible given the conditions and — if there was any doubt — stamps him as the greatest ironman of all time.

His three gold medal haul on the Sunshine Coast also made him Australia’s greatest competition surf lifesaver.

Eckstein’s wins this week — in the ironman, open surf race and surf teams race with Northcliffe clubmates Caine Eckstein, Nik Green and Lucas Allan — helped him overhaul Clint Robinson’s record of 36 gold medals to become the most successful of all time with 38 gold.

Shannon Eckstein of Northcliffe with daughter Ellie after taking out gold in the Open Men’s Ironman Final at the Australian SLSC Titles in Maroochydore. Photo: Lachie Millard

But the ironman crown was no gimme.

After finishing fourth in the morning semi-final despite leading for almost the entire race, an upset seemed as though it could be on the cards, with the waves thrown up by Huey the only thing likely to beat the Northcliffe champion.

“In the semi-final today I led and then 11 people came down a wave and it makes it really, really tough,’’ he said.

“But the last three Australian ironman titles when I’ve led I’ve got a wave so it looks pretty easy but they’re not all like that.

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

“They’re all special.

“The more you win, the more expectation there is.

“I’ve learnt to deal with that over the years but it doesn’t stop your guts churning in the morning and sleepless nights and getting nervous.

“But I’ve been training well and I know I can put a performance like that on but in this sort of stuff things can go wrong.

“But I got a great start in the ski and once I get in front I can dictate the race.’’

Northcliffe clubmate Green recited the Eckstein mantra of “get in front and stay in front’’ as his rationale after winning the under-19 ironman, his second successive crown in the event.

An Alexandra Headland product, Green had his own moment of treading in Kenny’s footsteps, something he said was special.

“It’s definitely special,’’ he said.

“It’s always good coming back to your home beach and giving it a crack, it’s always fun.’’

Green was named male athlete of the carnival, with Jemma Smith, from Umina, taking out female champion after snaring six gold medals.

Northcliffe won the overall pointscore title for the 13th year in succession, ahead of Currumbin and Newport.

Currumbin were the big movers, winning the handicap title and under-19 pointscore.