Bateup eyeing Gold …

Gold Coast Ironwoman Hayley Bateup is eyeing a return to 2011 Coolangatta Gold after missing last years event after injury forced her to undergo shoulder surgery.

Bateup, a three-time race winner, is as synonymous with the iconic race as Caine Eckstein and Guy Leech and will undoubtedly be one of the pre-race favorites assuming the “new” shoulder holds up. 
“I am very excited about the race, but I am going to have my work cut out for me after missing last season due to the surgery,” said Bateup.

“I am just hoping my shoulder holds up with the grueling training that is required for this event. If I am fit I will be on the start line and raring to go, but I won’t be racing just to make up numbers, I race to win and this event is no different,” Bateup added.

Bateup’s absence in 2010 allowed Alicia Marriott to also add Coolangatta Gold title number three; setting up what organisers were hoping would be a very competitive match-up in 2011.

But Marriott has this week indicated she “is not doing the Gold at this stage” as she concentrates on the Ironwoman Series.

The Gold is fast becoming a major highlight on the Surf Sports calendar each year and 2011 will be no different.

“After running the event in 1984 for two years and again in 1991 for two years, we brought the Gold back for good in 2005 and it is now firmly entrenched on our surf sports calendar,” said Dave Thompson, Surf Life Saving Australia’s General Manager – Sport.

“It has been exciting to watch it grow into such a popular event for people of all ages.”

“Many competitors are addicted to the Gold and keep coming back year after year. I’m sure non-surf lifesavers who attempt the race have even greater respect for those elite Ironmen and women who are so amazing at every discipline over the grueling course.”

Entries for the 2011 Coolangatta Gold are open. Entries close on August 14, with late entries closing on August 28.

Enter online at www.sls.com.au.