ECKSTEIN TO LEAD AUSSIES ASSUALT INTO EGYPT

June 21: Ironman champion Shannon Eckstein has been named captain of the 12-strong Australian Lifesaving Team that will head to Egypt in October to defend Australia's number one ranking at the World Life Saving Championships (Rescue 2010).

Eckstein will be joined by defending World Ironwoman Champion Naomi Flood, defending world inter-club surf race champion Chris Allum and two-time Australian Ironwoman Champion and 2006 world surf race champion Kristyl Smith.

The man who has won four Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman crowns and three Australian titles, will be chasing his third World Ironman title.

In the pool it will be the experience of Australian Team veterans Downie Langthorne, Mitch Parkes and current 50m manikin carry world champion Andrew Bowden, combined with rising stars Miranda Bell, Felysia Konakoff and Stephanie Ballantine who are expected to set some great times.

It will be another milestone for Flood who will contest the ICF World Canoe Championships in Poland in August in her bid for the London 2012 Olympics.

To represent at two World Championships in one year and just two months apart is a rare achievement in international sport.

The team will once again come up against tough competition from New Zealand and Italy who gave the Aussies a run for their money at Rescue 2008.

Australian Team Captain Shannon Eckstein said while New Zealand will prove a major threat, there are a few countries they'll be keeping an eye on.

"I think New Zealand will push us all the way once again - they have a very strong squad who are good in both the pool and surf. The Trans-Tasman rivalry always makes competition interesting," he said.

"We'll also need to keep an eye on Italy and Germany - they have set an extremely high standard in the pool and will be looking to assert some authority there.

"The wildcards are definitely China, they were really impressive at the World Games last year, and I think they will have progressed even more," said Eckstein

Eckstein has captained previous Australian teams, but has never been captain of a World's team which he is really excited about.

"This is the first time I've captained an Australian team at a World Championships, it's a huge honour and I'm extremely proud to be given this opportunity.

"I'll be looking to lead from the front and set a good example to the rest of the team.

"We'll be going to Egypt with a very strong team and I'm confident in this group's ability to defend our title.

"The men's team is very strong with a great deal of experience, and having the same squad as 2008 will be a huge benefit to us - we know what to expect, how to plan our training programs and we'll all be motivated to improve on our results from 2008.

"The women's team is a great mix of youth and experience and I think it's a very well balanced squad. The enthusiasm the likes of Laura Shorter will bring to the team will be great for everyone," he said.

Rescue 2010 will be held in coastal city of Alexandria in Egypt from 2 to 17 October 2010 with more than 3,000 competitors from around the world expected to race.

Australian Lifesaving Team for Rescue 2010:
Shannon Eckstein (Qld) - Captain
Chris Allum (NSW)
Stephanie Ballantine (Qld)
Miranda Bell (Qld)
Andrew Bowden (NSW)
Naomi Flood (NSW)
Felysia Konakoff (NSW)
Downie Langthorne (NSW)
Thomas Nolan (WA)
Mitch Parkes (NSW)
Laura Shorter (NSW)
Kristyl Smith (Qld)