Manly Daily - Naomi Flood continues to defy sporting logic. Following podium finishes in the first two ironwoman rounds at Scarborough in Perth last December and then in Newcastle earlier this month, she was outstanding on Sunday, flogging the best in the business at Portsea.

It is a staggering achievement given Flood entered the series on a wildcard and sees each race as cross-training leading into the 2016 Rio Olympics. In challenging five-foot surf, the Olympic kayaker was in the zone, finishing second in race one behind veteran Hayley Bateup before blitzing the field in race two. With three rounds remaining Flood is the series leader ahead of Brodie Moir and Courtney Hancock. It is an achievement even she finds a little surprising.

"I definitely didn't expect to go this well, I don't think the other girls did either," Flood, the series champion in 2009, said.

"I am not the type of person to stress about pointscores, I just like to race.

"With three rounds remaining anything can happen, I'm focused on the next race in Surfers Paradise on February 9, nothing else."

Following race four on the glitter strip, Coolum (February 17) and Noosa (February 24) await. The chance to walk away with $8000 in prizemoney as the women's series winner is a dangling carrot Flood is trying to distance herself from.

"Obviously it would be a nice little financial bonus, but plenty of things need to fall my way," she said.

2013 Telstra IronWomen Series

The Telstra IronWoman Series features the country’s elite athletes competing in the most gruelling ocean based competition on the planet. The 2012-13 Series will be fought out over six rounds at iconic Australian beaches including Perth, Newcastle, Portsea, Surfers Paradise, Coolum and Noosa Heads. The Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan Series and Telstra IronWoman Series will feature 17 IronMen and 18 IronWomen. All six races will feature popular formats that test endurance, power, skill and speed and be broadcast nationally on Network Ten.

Even website: http://surfironwomanseries.com