The Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic has been in part postponed due to cyclonic swell

Organisers have been forced to pull the pin on Friday afternoon racing at the Shaw and Partners Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic after cyclonic swell failed to subside in time.

ORGANISERS have been forced to pull the pin on Friday afternoon racing at the Shaw and Partners Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic after cyclonic swell failed to subside in time.

The entire racing package will shifted to Saturday as Gold Coast beaches remain closed and swell continues to peak at around four to six feet.

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Race organisers met with the Gold Coast City Council this morning and made the decision to postpone the Dash for Cash and Dash for Love events in the interest of athlete safety.

Race organiser Shannon Eckstein said that open iron heats would commence at 8am tomorrow, followed by U15 and U17 qualifying rounds at 11:30am with the finals package set to commence at approximately 3pm.

One of the richest ironman carnivals in history, the Shannon Eckstein ironman classic, is back for its second year. Matt Poole, Shannon Eckstein and Georgia Miller. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The good news is that the sun is out and the rain is gone but unfortunately the beaches are still closed today and looking like they probably won’t reopen this afternoon,” Eckstein said.

“We have made the decision to postpone the dash for cash and the dash for love until Saturday afternoon.

“The forecast is looking really good, around three to five foot and offshore wind in the morning so some good conditions for ironman racing.”