Shannon Eckstein to be cruising towards a ninth surf ironman series victory after dominating the opening two races on the weekend.
After making it look all too easy in race one at Coolum Beach on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Saturday, the 32-year-old Eckstein backed it up with another emphatic win on Sunday.
In a replica of race one, Gold Coast-based Eckstein broke the tape in front of Tasmanian-born Matt Belivacqua and defending series champion Ali Day.
After being pipped for the title by just one point last year, Eckstein looked in ominous form to open up a six-point lead at the top of the pointscore in front of Bevilacqua.
"It's a great start," Eckstein said.
"On Friday I wouldn't have thought I'd get two from two. I've trained really well and pretty consistently and I'm feeling really good.
"I'm getting older and getting smarter with training and smarter with racing.
"I worked the runners well today and that's just all experience and that's where I won the races coming in to shore every time."
In the women's series, 19-year-old Jordan Mercer has the lead after winning race two - her first race victory coming in her sixth season.
Mercer, the daughter of ironman great Darren Mercer, said she felt she was finally living up to her famous name as she finished in front of defending champion Liz Pluimers and Brodie Moir.
"I can't explain how I'm feeling right now," Mercer said.
"I've put every ounce of my being into this sport and it has all led to this moment.
"I've made a lot of mistakes along the way and to finally put together a race that I think is Mercer-worthy and to know that my dad is proud of me, means more than a gold medal."
Mercer has a six-point lead over Pluimers at the top of the pointscore.
Her Noosa Heads teammate and series rookie Kirsty Higgison could not back up her boilover win in round one, finishing 16th on Sunday.
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