World Open Water Dolphins dominate Noosa Swim

 

   

Swimming Australia, May 23, 2015: Swimming Australia’s Fina World Championship open water swimmers GeorgeO’Brien, Melissa Gorman, Kareena Lee and Chelsea Gubecka dominated Saturday’sZinc 96.1 Swim Noosa.

The iconic Sunshine Coast destination turned on a glorious day with calm conditions to kick off the 2015 Noosa Ultimate Sports Festival with the four ocean swim distances; 3.8km, 2km, 1km and 500m

Kurrawa’s reigning Australian open surf race champion O’Brien and 2009 World 5km champion Gorman triumphed over the 3.8km Swim Noosa event.

O’Brien winning the men’s event in 44 minutes 14 secs while Gorman dominated the elite women’s race, crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 44 minutes and 32 seconds.

In the men’s 3.8km race, which started and finished on Noosa Main Beach, it was O’Brien who was a comfortable winner but there was a sprint finish for the minor placings with just one second separating Bailey Armstrong and Nick Sloman, who placed second and third place respectively.

O’Brien backed up to finish second to Hervey Bay’s budding triathlete Matt Hauser, who has been named in Australia’s Junior Triathlon Team for this year’s ITU World Championships in Chicago in September, with Bailey Armstrong third.

The Australian Dolphins Swim Team’s two 10km representatives for the World Championships in Kazan, Kareena Lee and Chelsea Gubecka placed second and third respectively in the 3.8km Swim Noosa event.

“It was really nice out there today, nice and flat which is what I like and I had a really good time,” said O’Brien.

 “I am going to the World Championships in Kazan, Russia in July so that is my focus at the moment and I am feeling really good and swimming the fastest I ever swum so I am in a good place.”

In the open women’s field Gorman, who will contest the 5km event at the 2015 World Championships, backed up her victory in the 3.8km ocean swim top notch the double in the 2km event which started in stunning Little Cove and finished on Noosa Main Beach.

Gubecka finished second with Australian Swim Team representative Ellen Fullerton third.

“It was a lovely swim out there this morning – it’s been a really long time since I’ve raced up here in Noosa so it’s good to be back here and competing. I love Noosa,” said Gorman.

Festival ambassador Ky Hurst shared the spirit of Noosa Ultimate by cheering on his fellow ocean swim specialists and provided expert commentary. Hurst was unable to race today due to illness.

For event information and results visit www.noosaultimatesportsfest.com

Zinc 96.1 Swim Noosa Results

3.8km Swim Noosa

 

MEN:

George O’Brien                00:44:14
Bailey Armstrong             00:44:52
Nick Sloman                       00:44:53

WOMEN:

Melissa Gorman               00:44:32
Kareena Lee                       00:45:00
Chelsea Gubecka             00:45:05

 

2km Swim Noosa

MEN:

Matthew Hauser              00:24:42
George O’Brien                00:25:27
Bailey Armstrong             00:25:54

 

WOMEN:

Melissa Gorman               00:27:08
Chelsea Gubecka             00:27:12
Ellen Fullerton                   00:27:12

Review the full results ONLINE.

Issued on behalf of Swimming Australia by
Ian Hanson| Media Manager

Ian Hanson| Media Manager Triathlon Australia Managing Director
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