With a remarkable number of Nutri-Grain IronMan Series wins already to his name, Shannon Eckstein, has blown the ‘best of the best’ out of the water at Coolum Beach today, to claim his eighth crown.

In a grueling three round eliminator-style race format, Eckstein crafted a superb performance in rough conditions to take both the race and Series wins.

“I was the most relaxed I’ve ever been, it was about enjoying the last race of the season.”

Eckstein, who only needed to complete the race today to claim one point to take out the Series, said that once that had been secured he just started enjoying himself.

“When it came down to the final I felt a real motivation to win the final race, even with the Series win secure.”

At 31, Eckstein has built a prolific career over fourteen Series, now celebrated as the athlete of his
generation.

“I lost a bit of motivation a couple of years back but I found a new love for the sport and with the birth of my daughter I’ve made it more about doing it for my family than just about the win.”

With a clear dominance throughout the 2014 race Series, Eckstein led from start to finish in the final round of the race today, exercising a superior tactical performance to outclass the field.

Celebrating with family, friends and fans, Eckstein crossed the line with fists in the air, met by wife Belinda and daughter Ellie for a celebratory hug.

“This has been the most unexpected Series title win of them all, my preparation leading in with my diaphragm injury was the hardest I’ve had in my years of racing but on the other hand the injury made me focus on the little things and took the pressure off.”

Excellent racing by veteran competitor Ky Hurst, saw him lock away the Series runner up position.

“I was actually really nervous about today’s race. After a disappointing round five when I broke my rudder, putting me off the podium for the first time this year, it was a bit of shock.”

Hurst, who had chased a podium placing every round this season, said he also wanted to push Shannon this year.

“That was a big motivation and starting in fourth position today, the pressure was on.”

“When I looked at the forecast and turned up at the beach today the southerly swell definitely put a smile my face.”

With an outstanding performance in what was coined the ‘impact zone’, Hurst battled with a large trough and plenty of pounding surf to return consistent results across the three races.

In other results, Kendrick Louis’s elimination in the second race still ensured him a third placing for the 2014 Series on the back of some excellent racing in both Newcastle, NSW and Smiths Beach, WA.

Series contender Matt Poole was eliminated in Round 1, leaving him in fourth spot overall but the day belonged to Eckstein, reigning champion and king of Australia’s oceans in 2014.

The results for today’s IronMan Race (FINAL Round 6) at Coolum are as follows:
1 Shannon Eckstein
2 Ky Hurst
3 Matt Bevilacqua
4 Tanyn Lyndon
5 Hayden Allum
6 Wes Berg
7 Nathan Smith
8 Tom Trembath
9 Caine Eckstein
10 Cameron Cole
11 Kendrick Louis
12 Matt Poole
13 Dane Farrell
14 Mitchell Miller
15 Hayden White
16 Josh Minogue

Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan Series – Overall Series Ranking:
1 Shannon Eckstein
2 Ky Hurst
3 Kendrick Louis
4 Matt Poole
5 Caine Eckstein
6 Tanyn Lyndon
7 Wes Berg
8 Nathan Smith
9 Matt Bevilacqua
10 Hayden Allum
11 Mitchell Miller
12 Josh Minogue
13 Tom Trembath
14 Dane Farrell
15 Hayden White
16 Cameron Cole