Ky Hurst claimed his second victory of the summer after a sprint finish with Hugh Dougherty in round five of the ironman series on Sunday at Coolum Beach.

The 30-year-old, who will compete in the London Olympics as a long-distance swimmer this year, showed a fast pair of heels on the sand to just pip his rival in the pursuit event.

The result continued a topsy-turvy campaign for Hurst, who won in round two before being disqualified in round three, when he missed a buoy.

“It’s been one of those seasons, to tell you the truth. There have been so many highs and so many lows. There’s been no plateau for me,” he said.

“To have what happened to me at Newcastle was just unfortunate but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.”

At Coolum, Hurst snared seventh place in the ski race, first place in the swim and 17th place in the board race to qualify eighth fastest for the handicap-start final, 17 seconds behind Shannon Eckstein.

Hurst had solid ski and swim legs in the decider, before powering home on the board alongside Dougherty. A sprint on the sand ensued.

“I saw Hughie get up off the board and he took three or four steps and I thought we’ve got a race on here and I tried to do the Usain Bolt things and really use my arms,” Hurst said.

Caine Eckstein beat his brother Shannon in a dash to the line to claim third place and close in to within five points of series leader Ali Day, who finished sixth in the second last event.

But Hurst, who is fourth overall, was hopeful Day could hold on and win the series at Noosa Heads next Sunday.

“I think we need, this season more than any other, a new face, a fresh face,” he said of the 21-year-old Mooloolaba ironman who is battling a leg complaint.

“He speaks well and has a good head on his shoulders. There’s not an arrogant streak in him, he’s super humble and shows so much respect.

“I really do hope for his sake and the series that he can get up and win the series.”

Candice Falzon, who returned to the ironwoman series this summer after a three-year absence, defeated Bonnie Hancock by 28 seconds with new series leader Kristyl Smith claiming third place, another seven seconds behind.

It was a maiden podium finish for Falzon, who is fifth in the summer standings.

And although her social life has been well documented in the past, her will to win an ironwoman event has never waned.

“I had a few years off and everyone knows I’ve been through some bad times but I never stopped believing and I never stopped dreaming and I knew one day this would happen.”

Smith, who has finished as runner-up in the series on five occasions, has a slender one-point lead over Liz Pluimers, who slipped back a spot on the overall standings after finishing sixth. Defending champion Courtney Hancock is another six points adrift.