Matt Poole won his first IronMan race of the 2014/2015 season after a spectacular sprint finish with series leader Ali Day in Newcastle.
Day led for most of the race until Poole caught a great wave in the third swim leg which saw both Sunshine Coast teammates fight it out side by side in the final ski and board legs.
Reigning champion Shannon Eckstein was third.
"The IronMan series is never over until it's over, you just have to keep fighting till the end. I'm stoked that I could get a win against these guys," Poole said.
"I always knew I was a title contender from round one but unfortunately I had a setback in round two in WA.
"I knew physically and mentally I was fit enough and strong enough to mix with these guys and win races, I just needed a little more luck to go my way which it did today."
Day now holds a four point lead over reigning champion Eckstein.
With one one race remaining, all three of Saturday's top place getters are in contention for the series title with Day sitting on 83 points, Eckstein 79 and Poole 72.
If Day finishes first or second on Sunday the series win is secured regardless of where the other athletes place.
In the women's series Liz Pluimers is only one race away from her third title after having the perfect race to take out round five.
Pluimers had Harriet Brown on her tail the entire race on Saturday, the turning point for Pluimers being in the final ski leg when she fell and used her incredible skill to body surf back to the beach, giving her the lead going into the final board leg.
"Everytime I turned around there was someone there. I got the best wave on that last board leg and that's what you want," Pluimers said.
Pluimers needs to finish in tenth spot or better on Sunday to take the series title.
"I don't look at the points that much, but I'm definitely going for another win tomorrow," she said.
Round four winner Rebecca Creedy finished second on Saturday with Brown coming in third.
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