2007 Gold Coast Mile - Media Guide - Hanson Sport Media

GOLD COAST MILE ATTRACTS CLASSY FIELDSGOLD COAST: The 2007 Gold Coast Mile Flatwater swim at Southport Marine Stadium onDecember 2, has already attracted a host of Australian and South African open waterswimmers.Australia’s defending women’s champion and Commonwealth Games silver medallist MelissaGorman – who has her sights set on the Beijing Olympic Games next year – will line up in animpressive women’s field.Six-time Australian Surf Life Saving gold medallist Brooke Fletcher from Northcliffe and SouthAfrican stillwater and surf champion Melissa Corfe will ensure Gorman does not get things allher own way.It will be the final hit out for Gorman and Fletcher in their preparations for the Australian 5 and10km Championships at Penrith on December 8, 9 and 10 – the first step towards Olympicselection.The men’s field will feature emerging Australian open water swimmer Dev Lahey, who took outthe recent Noosa 1000 – up against Miami’s National Age swimming star Daniel Smith andSouth African open water and surf champion Shaun Dias.There is $2000 up for grabs in both the men’s and women events as well as two trips to SouthAfrica’s famous Midmar Mile, the largest open water swim in the world – a swim that attractsupwards of 20,000 starters.And this year the Midmar organisers have added a 10km race to their program which severalcountries will use as major preparations for the Beijing Olympics.Commonwealth Games silver medallist over 800m freestyle, Gorman has tasted Midmarsuccess and will be one of the first into the water in this year’s Gold Coast Mile – and the lureof the Olympics will be on top of her priority list.“The Gold Coast Mile is always a fun event and I’m looking forward to defending my title beforegoing to Sydney,” said Gorman.“It’s going to be a busy year of open water and pool events and I am looking forward to somegreat competition.”The inclusion of the 10km event at the Olympics is making life just that much easier forGorman to survive her daily grind – and focus on her dreams.Unlike most swimmers the 22-year-old Queensland University Technology student is one of aselect few who will hedge her bets come Olympic selection time – between the pool and openwater.Media Contacts:Ian HansonKim HamiltonMedia ManagerMedia LiaisonGold Coast MileGold Coast MileHanson Sports Media Hanson Sports MediaM: 0407385160 M: 0438443406P: 55 225 556 P: 55 225 556