SWIM GREAT WANTS EIGHT
SAM Sheppard hopes an explosive start in Australia’s most anticipated open water race could be just the trick to secure an eighth title — and another gold medal around his neck.
The 26-year-old defending champion will lead the pack when more than 5000 swimmers take the plunge in next weekend’s Lorne Pier to Pub.
But even after putting his stamp on the summer spectacle, Sheppard, who narrowly beat Olympic champion Mack Horton last year, isn’t taking anything for granted.
“It’s open water,” Sheppard said. “So it doesn’t necessarily come down to whether you’re a good swimmer. It comes down to race experience but also how you execute your start and finish.”
The 38th Pier to Pub will attract a string of big names this year. Horton returns alongside Italian Olympic 1500m gold medallist Gregorio Paltrinieri and Syrian dual Olympian Azad Al-Barazi.
Lorne SLSC was recently awarded the Surf Coast Shire Australia Day Award for community event of the year in recognition of the amazing feat conducted annually by the volunteer organisation.
“It’s a fun race and it’s great for the local community,” Sheppard said.
Women’s champion Harriet Brown is also set for a return to defend her title. Brown last year won her sixth title with a trademark brilliant swim, joining Naantali Marshall as joint record titleholders at the event.
The GMHBA Lorne Mountain to Surf fun run is on the morning of Friday January 12. The Pier to Pub kicks off the following day.