The 2023 Coolangatta Gold Wrap

Congratulations to Jackson Borg on winning the Coolangatta Gold Open Men’s Short Course!

Other Results

  • Ben Blakeney – Open men’s short course 5th
  • Phoebe Savage – Open women’s Long Course – 6th
  • Bec Capell – 40-49 women’s short course 3rd
  • Jemma Smith, Lizzie Welborn, Dominique Melbourn and Piper Harrison – Open women’s short course team 1st
  • Charli Barbour – U15 women’s youth challenge 1st
  • Tom Shrivell – U14 men’s youth challenge 3rd
  • Matilda Young – U14 women’s youth challenge 4th
  • Olivia Clues, Pipi Te Pania – U17 women’s team
  • Trimmy, Bella Cox, Josh Kerr, Analise Kibble – Open mixed team 4th
  • Jemma – Downwind Paddle Open women’s 1st
  • Brock Neall – Downwind paddle U18 4th
  • Sascha Taurins – Downwind paddle U23 2nd
  • Jasmine Locke – Downwind paddle U23 5th
  • Analise Kibble – Female Spec ski 2nd
  • Olivia Clues – Female spec ski 3rd
  • Numerous Max Brooks’ Bucks night teams – all 8 teams accounted for! They had a 5th and a 7th!

Extract from JASON BECOMES FIRST PARALYMPIAN TO COMPLETE COOLANGATTA GOLD WHILE BORG AND HARRIS TAKE OUT SHORT COURSE TITLES – Surf Life Saving (sls.com.au) posted on October 14, 2023 at 6:08 pm

Newport Ironman Jackson Borg powered home to deliver an emphatic win in the Open Male Short Course.

“That’s an awesome way to start the season; it means that what I’ve been doing in the off-season is working and gives me a bit of confidence,” Borg said.

“I had a lot of ups and downs last season, and so I have to trial for the Nutri-Grain IronMan Series this season. I wanted to focus on the short course this year and be a bit sharper instead of focusing on my steady pace.

Borg led from start to finish, managing to pull away from the field in the opening ski leg and carrying his momentum through the two-hour-plus race.

“I kept on looking back, so I was trying to keep an eye on the boys behind me. But Archie (Vernon) and Mitch (Stitt) are good athletes. They are both so young and kept me honest the whole way.

“It’s always awesome to come up and do the Coolangatta Gold; it’s such an iconic event. It’s definitely on my bucket list every year, and it’s one that I’ve been able to cross off a few times now,” he said.

Extract from Norton and Smith take out Shaw and Partners Financial Services Coolangatta Gold Downwind Paddle – Surf Life Saving (sls.com.au)

Smith, who won the inaugural title in 2022 and is the current world champion, showed why she is among the best paddlers in the world, claiming a commanding win ahead of New Zealand’s Danielle McKenzie.

Smith said she was super proud to be part of the event and see so many paddlers joining in.

“I think the greatest thing to see was when we were lining up and just how many people were there.

“It’s unreal that everyone has really got behind this event. It’s the second year it’s been run, and to see the numbers grow has just been awesome.

“I’m really stoked to be a part of it, and I hope that everyone has had a great day out here at Coolangatta. I even got to paddle alongside a whale out there, which was really cool,” she said.

Smith said she’s now eager to head over to Perth, where she hopes to defend her 2022 world title.

“Going over to Perth, we’ve obviously got Race Week straight into Worlds, so there will be a lot of paddling on offer for everyone.

“Really looking forward to getting over there and lining up against the best in the world. It will be a really good time over there, and I can’t wait for it to come around,” she said.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email