Bateup on Track for Gold

Triple Coolangatta Gold winner Hayley Bateup is on track for her much anticipated return to competition in the 2011 Coolangatta Gold after 18 months off following shoulder surgery.

Bateup, who helped launch the event yesterday with Club mate Caine Eckstein, believes the Gold is one of the world’s toughest race.

“I’ve done Molokai (board paddle) twice and that’s tough because you’re on the same craft the whole way. This is tougher because the pace is on,” she said.

“To win it, everything has to go right. You can’t make mistake or miss a wave.”

Another three-time champion, Alicia Marriott, is sitting out this year’s 30.5km women’s race but there is no shortage of challengers.

Bateup’s chiselled physique suggests she is a good chance for title No.4, Courtney Hancock has been on the podium three times and has enjoyed a smooth preparation, and her sister Bonnie is a smokey.

Liz Pluimers also has three podium finishes and was 20m from a fourth in 2009 when she collapsed from exhaustion.

She was carried across the line on a stretcher and did not regain consciousness until she was in the first-aid tent.

“Hayley’s so mentally strong but it would be nice to see some one else’s name on that trophy,” Pluimers said.

Source: Courier Mail