Caption:
Zane Holmes led the Ironman final from start to finish to take out the final round and the Series. Photo courtsey of www.harvpix.com
Holmes and Pluimers crowned Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series Champions for 2008
1/03/2008
Zane Holmes and Elizabeth Pluimers have been crowned the
Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Iron Man Series champions for 2008 after a day of thrills and spills at Sydney’s Coogee Beach today.
In a dramatic climax to the $200,000 Series and in front of a packed amphitheatre it was Holmes (Southern Telstra QLD Sunfish) who led the men’s final from start to finish with Series leader and training partner Shannon Eckstein in fourth.
Exciting climax to the women’s Series it was Marriott who held on to win the final by the barest of margins from Pluimers (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) who wrapped up the Series without winning one of the five rounds.
In the men’s Eckstein had to at least finish second to Holmes to claim his third crown and in the final leg knew he had to pass Australian Ironman champion Pierce Leonard to have any chance of claiming a coveted third straight crown.
But Leonard wasn’t laying down and in a frantic flurry of boards and bodies that emerged from the foam, it was Leonard who held on for second and the consistent Hugh Dougherty who charged home for third.
The luckless Eckstein, who had not been out of the top three all year was fourth ahead of the legend Dean Mercer (Southern DHL Ice) and Western Australian Brendan Sarson (NIB Western Waves)– who produced his best race of Series.
Holmes stole a march on his five finalists when he held a shore dumper at the end of the swim and he made the most of the break to ensure he was uncatchable.
“I had three goals at the start of the season – to regain the Nutri-Grain Series, retain the World title and win back the Australian title – so I can tick off one box – there’s two to go,” said Holmes.
“I knew today was going to be tough and all I had to do was win and when I saw Pierce behind me I knew the title was mine.
“Shannon is a great competitor but there are some young guys coming through like Pierce so I guess I have to thank them too.”
In the women it was Pluimers who was crowned the champion, winning her maiden Series after a thrilling finish which saw Western Australia’s Alicia Marriott (NIB Western Waves) – win her third race of the Series.
Caption:
Fierce line up named as part of the 2009 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman and Ironwoman Series.
Pluimers held a commanding overall points lead going into the final eliminator race which still didn’t stop an epic final duel with Marriott.
Marriott led the race before a late challenge in the final board leg by Pluimers witnessed an unforgettable sprint finish with Marriott taking line honours by the slimmest of margins in the final to finish second overall.
But the day belonged to a glowing Pluimers who proved her consistency over the five rounds was too good for her opposition capping off a Cinderella story for the girl who was born and bred in the country town of Warwick before moving to the Gold Coast and taking up nippers at the age of 10.
Pluimers, a former Australian under 18 champion finished second overall in 2007 behind four-time Nutri Grain Series champion and team mate, Kristy Harris who was unable to contest this series after a freak scooter accident ruled her out for the summer.
A near identical sprint finish took place for the third placing in the race between Telstra Sunfish teenager, Bianca Lee and North Queensland Beach House Fitness Lightning, Gemma Newbiggin with Lee proving the stronger on the line.
Fellow round five finalists were Western NIB Waves Emma Wynne who finished fifth and Lightning Kristy Munroe (sixth) while the luckless Northern New South Wales Inner Health Plus Hammers captain, Naomi Flood narrowly missed the final after being struck by a wayward board on the head in the second elimination round.
Pluimers said: “I’m obviously happy to win the Series but I have to admit I’m little disappointed not to have won the final, as hard as I tried.
“Alicia is a fantastic competitor and full marks to her for a great race but not to win a round all year is a little disappointing.
“But it has given me a huge confidence booster for the Nationals which will be contested in similar conditions so I can’t wait.”
The top six point scores overall from the 2008 series gain automatic qualification for next summer including Elizabeth Pluimers (95), Alicia Marriott (89), Naomi Flood (74), Bianca Lee (70), Kristy Munroe (68), Gemma Newbiggin (64).
In the men’s series automatic qualifiers for 2009 include Zane Holmes (102), Shannon Eckstein (99), Hugh Doherty (88), Pierce Leonard (83), Wes Berg (69) and Nathan Smith (69).
Caption:
World Ironwoman champion Kristy Munroe farewelled the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series in style, finishing in the top six.
In the teams pointscore it was the Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish who retained their title on 35 points from the Southern DHL Ice (25), the Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers (24) the Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins (19), the Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning (13) and the Western NIB Waves (10).
ENDS….
Final: Alicia Marriott (Western NIB Waves) Elizabeth Pluimers (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) Bianca Lee (Southern DHL Ice) Gemma Newbiggin (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning) Emma Wynne (Western NIB Waves)Kristy Munroe (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning) Naomi Flood (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) Terri Sullivan (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) Alyce Bennett (Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins) Chloe Jones (Southern DHL Ice) Courtney Hancock (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) Bonni Hancock (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) Brodi Moir (Western NIB Waves) Flora Manciet (Southern DHL Ice) Sheree Merryful (Southern DHL Ice) Candice Falzon (Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins) Chelsea MacKenzie (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning) Allira Richardson (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning)
Men: Zane Holmes (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) Pierce Leonard (Southern DHL Ice) Hugh Dougherty (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) Shannon Eckstein (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) Dean Mercer (Southern DHL Ice) Brendan Sarson (Western NIB Waves) Chris Allum (Southern DHL Ice) Wes Berg (Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins) Jacob Lollback (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) Daniel Shade (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) Drew Cairncross (Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins) Nathan Smith (Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins) Corey Jones (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning) Luke Nisbet (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) Wade Krieger (Western NIB Waves) Matt Poole (Western NIB Waves) Tim Peach (Northern QLD Telstra Sunfish) Kyle Garrett (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning)
Series Pointscore: Women: Elizabeth Pluimers (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) 95 Alicia Marriott (Western DHL Waves) 89 Naomi Flood (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) 74 Bianca Lee (Southern DHL Ice) 70 Kristy Munroe (Northern Beach House Fitness Lightning) 68 Gemma Newbiggin (Northern Beach House Fitness Lightning) 64 Emma Wynne (Western NIB Waves) 63 Alyce Bennett (Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins) 62 Terri Sullivan (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) 59 Chloe Jones (Southern DHL Ice) 58 Courtney Hancock (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) 56 Bonni Hancock (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) 48 Sheree Merryful (Southern DHL Ice) 47 Allira Richardson (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning) 46 Flora Manciet (Southern DHL Ice) 39 Chelsea MacKenzie (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning) 38 Brodie Moir (Western NIB Waves) 30 Candice Falzon (Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins)19
Men: Zane Holmes (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) 102 Shannon Eckstein (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) 99 Hugh Dougherty (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) 88 Pierce Leonard (Southern DHL Ice) 83 Wes Berg ( Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins) 69 Nathan Smith (Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins) 69 Corey Jones (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning) 66 Dean Mercer (Southern DHL Ice) 61 Luke Nisbet (Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish) 53 Daniel Shade (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) 49 Drew Cairncross (Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins) 45 Jacob Lollback (Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers) 44 Chris Allum (Southern DHL Ice) 43 Wade Krieger (Western NIB Waves) 39 Brendon Sarson (Western NIB Waves) 37 Hayden Smith (Southern DHL Ice sub) 24 Matt Poole (Western NIB Waves) 21 Tim Peach (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning) 19 Kyle Garrett (Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning)15
Teams: Southern QLD Telstra Sunfish 35 Southern DHL Ice 25 Northern NSW Inner Health Plus Hammers 24 Southern NSW Yamaha Blue Fins 19 Northern QLD Beach House Fitness Lightning 13 Western NIB Waves 10
For further media enquiries please contact SLSA Media & Communications Officer Lauren Ryan on 0402 162 807.