Ky Hurst Takes Win at Hamilton Island’s Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim

Hundreds of amateur athletes have competed alongside Olympic, World and Commonwealth champions Ky Hurst, Michael Klim, Susie O’Neill, Mel Gorman, Craig ‘Crowie’ Alexander and Courtney Atkinson at the Fujifilm Triathlon and Ocean Swim on Hamilton Island over the weekend.

The fifth edition of the event saw Ky Hurst narrowly take out the open men’s 2km ocean swim on picturesque Whitehaven Beach in a time of 23:15, in front of Joshua Richardson on 23:16 and Jackson Van Der Zant on 23:21. This was Hurst’s fourth win in as many years at the event. Mel Gorman took out the 750m ‘anything goes’ race, her first since shoulder surgery just a few months ago.

Hurst said: ‘The Fujifilm Triathlon and Ocean Swim is on my must do list every year. I have the Nutri-Grain Ironman opening rounds coming up, but I wouldn’t miss the event. Hamilton Island always puts on a great show, and it’s such a great destination to visit with friends and family. Competing alongside the likes of Klim and O’Neill, along with amateurs and people just keen to give it a go, makes it a really unique event.’

Saturday’s sprint triathlon on Hamilton Island was won by local Ryan Palazzi in a time of 01:08:44, with Elyse Foster taking the women’s title just five minutes behind. Susie O’Neill’s daughter Emma placed second, with Madame Butterfly herself placing fifth. The unique course sees challengers tackle a 750m ocean swim across Catseye Bay, followed by a 20km cycle including laps of Hamilton Island’s airport runway, before finishing with a 5km challenging hill run culminating in a beachside finish.

Olympic gold medallist Michael Klim’s ‘The Milk Men’ team finished first in the men’s team category, while Crowie and Atkinson’s respective mixed teams failed to place. 

The Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim is the only sporting event permitted to be held in the waters off this world famous beach. Its pristine, white silica sand stretches for seven kilometres edged by the most crystal clear water, located on Hamilton Island’s neighbouring Whitsunday Island. Race lengths include 2km and 750m competitive races, as well as a 750m ‘anything goes’ and 350m kids event. 

Full results from the event can be found at www.multisportaustralia.com.au.  

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Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna. Hamilton Island offers a wide range of accommodation options, not to mention over 60 activities and all within a short direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. There are also great connections from other Australian cities. www.hamiltonisland.com.au www.facebook.com/hamiltonisland 

Media contacts and image library: www.hamiltonisland.com.au/media-centre/ 
Michelle Crowshaw, Trade Communications Manager
e: mcrowshaw@hamiltonisland.com.au t: +61 (0)417 065 173

Katie Cahill, Regional Communications Manager
e: kcahill@hamiltonisland.com.au t: +61 (0)439 775 656

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