Double world ironman champions Zane Holmes and Kristy Munroe headline an imposing Australian team named yesterday to take on New Zealand at the international surf challenge in Sydney this month.
Holmes, 26, has been a stalwart of Australian teams since 1999, while Munroe turns 25 the day before
the first test on November 29.
They both won world ironman titles in 2004 and 2006, and Holmes last year won the Coolangatta Gold race.
They are joined in the 12-strong team by Cronulla's Nathan Smith, a former Australian ironman and board race champion, and outstanding Northcliffe ironman Shannon Eckstein, who has won the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain championship four times.
New Zealand selected their team after the national championships in March, and although they cleaned up at August's international pool challenge in Sydney, they know the transition to the beach will be tough.
"Australia have certainly brought out the big guns," Surf Life Saving New Zealand sport manager Mark Weatherall said. "This would be one of the strongest teams they've ever selected for an international competition, so we're kind of flattered by that. But we won't be lying down by any means - although we don't have the depth Australia does, our top level is still very competitive."
Kiwi sprinters Paul Cracroft-Wilson and teenager Chelsea Maples have this year snatched Australian titles in the beach flags and beach sprint respectively, while Glen Anderson, Nikki Cox and Lucy Pengelly have enjoyed considerable success racing for Australian clubs.
- NZPA
