CAINE AND HAYLEY LEAD RECORD ENTRIES FOR 2008 nib COOLANGATTA GOLD

COOLANGATTA, September 18: This year's nib Coolangatta Gold will see a record number of competitors contest the eighth running of Surf Life Saving Australia's iconic Ironman and Ironwoman event on October 19 - an increase of almost 32 per cent on 2007.

The nib Coolangatta Gold will see 190 individuals from around the country take to the line, while a record 58 teams will assemble on the Gold Coast for the 46.65 kilometre return journey from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta - a 45 per cent increase.

With 59 competitors taking on the Open Male race, competition is once again shaping up to be red hot, with some of the stars including Caine Eckstein, Dean Mercer, Nathan Smith, Luke Nisbet, Hugh Dougherty, Ben Allen and last year's under 19 winner Jacob Lollback.

After defeating Jeremy Cotter and high profile brother Shannon in 2005, Eckstein will attempt to become only the second man in history behind 1984 and 1985 winner Guy Leech to win the coveted title twice.

"I started to paddle ok and thought - let's give this another go - I am enjoying the training and with a group preparing for the Gold in the teams event it certainly makes it a lot more enjoyable," said Eckstein, now the head coach at Tugun SLSC.

In the female ranks two-time open women's winner Hayley Bateup will lead the 34 elite women, including the likes of Courtney Hancock, Kirsty Holmes, Kristyl Smith, Gemma Newbiggen, Tahlia Ferguson and Alyce Bennett will tackle the 30km journey from Surfers Paradise to Currumbin and return.

"I wanted so badly to win last year but it wasn't meant to be and I at least walked away knowing that I gave it my everything and it's the same for this year, I won't be finishing this race with any regrets," said 2005 and 2006 winner Bateup.

"Doing the Gladiators television show was a fantastic experience, especially gaining a new perspective of cross training.

"It was a lot of boot camp training and I struggled for a while getting back to the top aerobically but my strength now is the best it's ever been."

Holmes, who led the Sunshine Coasters to win the women's teams event in 2007, will be trying to join 2006 winner, little brother Zane, by taking out the 2008 nib Coolangatta Gold.

The teams entries - with SLSA's decision to allow two and three person teams as well as the traditional four person teams has been a huge hit - with the overall teams entries increasing by a whopping 45 per cent.

While the Queenslanders have had the benefits of what the Sunshine State winter has to offer, spare a thought for the eight competitors from Tasmania, led by brothers Jared and Adam Wiseman who will be joined by Luke O'Grady, the evergreen Don Marsh, Dr John Saul, Craig Sly and women's entries Rebecca Thompson and Brylee Dodd who have braved the ice and snow of a Tassi winter to prepare for iron man racing's test of the toughest.

"It has been tough...freezing at times...but also a lot of fun with regular newsletters keeping us all laughing and focused," said Marsh, who at 58 has been one of Surf Life Saving's great all-round competitors and a role model for Tasmanian sport.

Some clubs, like the 2007 open team runners up Freshwater from Sydney's Northern Beaches, will send three teams, including an all female team, an open men's team and an emerging team.

"The teams is a wonderful concept for clubs - I think it is a real growth area for surf lifesaving and a good way to give some youngsters a taste of a big event like the nib Coolangatta Gold," said champion Freshwater ski paddler and club strength and conditioning coach Tim Jacobs.

"I know our club is very excited about entering an event like the nib Coolangatta Gold and knowing they can train together as a group - wonderful for team spirit - we can't wait."

The 2008 nib Coolangatta Gold will take place on the Gold Coast on Sunday 19 October, with races starting and finishing at Surfers Paradise.

Ian Hanson
Media Director
2008 nib Coolangatta Gold
Hanson Media Group
http://www.hansonmediagroup.com.au/

The nib Coolangatta Gold is Australia's ultimate Ironman and Ironwoman endurance race. The event will take place on Queensland's Gold Coast and surrounding beaches on 19 October 2008.

For the second year running, the nib Coolangatta Gold will be open to entries to all elite athletes, not just members of surf life saving clubs.

For more details visit http://surfsports.slsa.com.au/

FAST FACTS....

NIB Coolangatta Gold

WHEN:                    October 19, 2008

WHERE:                  Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

START                       FROM 7am                    

OPEN MEN, MASTERS & TEAMS

Leg     1 SKI (Surfers Paradise to Greenmount 23km)

            2 RUN (Greenmount to Coolangatta 0.65km)

            3 SWIM (Coolangatta to Bilinga 3.50km)

            4 RUN (Bilinga to Currumbin 4.00)

            5 BOARD (Currumbin to Burleigh Heads 5.5km)

            6 RUN (Burleigh Heads to Surfers Paradise 10.00km)

            TOTAL 46.65km

OPEN WOMEN, MASTERS & U/19

Leg     1 SKI (Surfers Paradise to Currumbin SLSA15km)

            2 RUN (Currumbin SLSC to Currumbin Creek 1km)

            3 BOARD (Currumbin Creek to Burleigh Heads SLSC 4.5km)

            4 SWIM (Burleigh Heads SLSA to North Burleigh 2.5km)

            5 RUN (North Burleigh to surfers Paradise 7.5km)

            TOTAL 30.5km