Queensland Ocean Swim Series decider

Caloundra turned on stunning weather and ideal conditions on Sunday for the Sunshine Coast’s newest surf challenge – the Kings of the Coast Ocean Swim.

The event presented a unique challenge for competitive swimmers and weekend warriors alike – a full 3.8km ironman distance swim from Moffat Beach to Kings Beach.

The late withdrawal of current Australian 5km & 10km open water champion, Trent Grimsey had ignited some fresh enthusiasm amongst the elite men and it was Brisbane swimmers Michael Sheil and Jackson Van Der Zant who took their opportunity racing to the lead early from Moffat Beach.

Sheil eventually pulled away on the home stretch and hit Kings Beach 10 seconds ahead of Van Der Zant in a time of 39 minutes 41 seconds.

17 year old Caitlyn Zillman, the hot tip in the womens field after blitzing her rivals at Coolangatta in April, was again peerless crossing the line in 41 minutes 46 seconds, close to 3 minutes ahead of Sarah Windsor in second place.

Local Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC pairing, Kelli-Ann Perkins and National Ironwomen competitor Rebecca Creedy showed their class in the two person teams event finishing 10 minutes clear of their nearest rivals.

Over 260 swimmers took up the Kings of the Coast challenge with some traveling from as far away as Victoria and even New Zealand to test their mettle over the ironman distance course.

The event was the third and final leg of the new 2010 Queensland Ocean Swim Series and the carnival atmosphere at Kings Beach was the perfect end to a very popular inaugural year.

Overall Kings of the Coast winner, Michael Sheil, was quick to applaud the series and expects all three events to get a huge following in 2011 saying “Each event has offered something a little different and the series has been fantastic for Queensland … I’m already looking forward to next year!”

Jackson Van Der Zant’s second place also secured him the overall 2010 series title and Major Prize of a trip to the Vanuatu Ocean Swim on June 12. Kimberlee Liedke was the lucky winner of the Fiji Ocean Swim Festival package drawn from competitors in all three events.

For more information on the Queensland Ocean Swim Series go to www.weekendwarriorevents.com.au