HAYLEY SEALS nib COOLANGATTA GOLD PREPARATIONS WITH A KISS
October 14: Ironwoman Hayley Bateup has sealed her nib Coolangatta Gold preparations with a kiss after taking the plunge with the sea lions at Sea World on the Gold Coast.
The 29-year-old three-time Coolangatta Gold champion was amazed when the 300kg California sea lion Sacks made the first splash of the day, followed by his smaller cousin Friday.
"I couldn't believe how big Sacks was but so friendly - it was an amazing experience," said Bateup, who will start favourite to take Gold number four when the women's race gun goes off at 8am on Sunday at Surfers Paradise.
"To share the water with them and experience their amazing ability was something you don't get the chance to do every day of the week.
"But doing the nib Coolangatta Gold gives you the opportunity to do all kinds of things, like swimming with the seals.
"To ride on his back and dip underwater with him was great fun."
Hayley then had a visit from smaller sea lion Friday, who demonstrated just how strong he was, standing on one flipper as Bateup looked on in amazement.
{youtube}Eup0KcEakeY{/youtube}
The Kurrawa Ironwoman will be looking for some seal-like inspiration as she sets sail for Currumbin from Surfers Paradise on
her ski in search of a record fourth nib Coolangatta Gold.
The women will then run from Currumbin Vikings Surf Club for Currumbin Alley, where they will collect their boards for the paddle to Burleigh Heads.
From Burleigh Heads it is a swim to North Burleigh before the 40-strong field sets off for the 7.5km run back to Surfers Paradise.
Bateup will have stiff opposition from 2007 winner Alicia Marriott, three-time podium finisher Elizabeth Pluimers and last year's runner-up and fellow Northcliffe competitor Courtney Hancock.
The men's race with a 60-strong field, starts at 7am with Caine Eckstein chasing a record third nib Coolangatta Gold crown.
Eckstein, the 2005 and 2008 winner and 1984 and 1985 winner Guy Leech share the men's honours at two wins each.
The 23-year-old from Northcliffe will start favourite in a field which includes two-time podium finisher Nathan Smith and rising stars Matt Poole (Mooloolaba) and Cory Hill (Northcliffe).
