He was involved in a controversial finish with Matt Poole during round three yesterday, but Gold Coaster Shannon Eckstein made it clear he’s the man to beat in the National Ironman Series, winning rounds four and five at Newcastle Beach today.
Eckstein is now the clear favourite to clinch the series when it moves to the Sunshine Coast in February.
In the ironwoman event, Courtney Hancock moved into the outright lead after a narrow victory over Liz Pluimers.
Having had her share of bad luck in Newcastle in the past, Hancock broke through for her first win in the Hunter, crossing the tape with a celebratory dive.
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