Hurst shows good timing in Switzerland

Swimming Australia
Published: Jul 22, 2012 04:29:12 PM Updated: Nov 13, 2012 10:18:26 AM

Ironman champion and dual Olympian Ky Hurst took another step forward in is preparation for the London Olympics in Switzerland yesterday, winning the Swiss National 5km Open Water Swimming Championship yesterday. 

Based in Tenero, Switzerland at the Swimming Australia Open Water Swimming staging camp, Hurst travelled three hours North to the town of Rorschach where he competed in the 5km Time Trial event. 

On an overcast day with scattered showers and a water temperature of 20 degrees, Hurst completed the three lap course in an impressive 53minutes 24seconds to take the win. 

Hurst’s coach, Colin Braund said he was pleased with the swim and is happy with where the Beijing Olympian is placed some two weeks out from the start of the open water competition. 

“This swim was about getting a solid swim under our belt in conditions similar to those that we will be faced with in London,” said Braund. 

“Ky controlled the swim very well and I was very pleased with the way in which he built the race.” 

Hurst and fellow open water swimmer Mellissa Gorman will finalise their staging camp in Switzerland later this week before heading to London on Wednesday to be there in time for the Opening Ceremony.  The duo will then head up to Manchester to complete their final preparations before competing in the Serpentine at Hyde Park on Thursday 9^th and Friday 10^th August. 

Swimming Australia Open Water Coach Greg Towle said he has been impressed with the preparations of the OWS team and is looking forward to seeing them compete in London. 

“Experience is a major component to being successful in OWS, both Mel and Ky were in Beijing and I believe that they have matured as athletes over the past four years which will assist them greatly in London.”