Surf Life Saving Australia on 2020 Coolangatta Gold, Nutri-Grain ironman, ironwoman series
They are two mainstays of Australian summer sport – the iconic Coolangatta Gold and the professional ironman and ironwoman series. But will they go ahead in 2020/2021?
Manly
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Surf Life Saving Australia is forging ahead with plans to hold the iconic Coolangatta Gold on the Gold Coast in October and the professional ironman and ironwoman series over summer at still to be determined venues and dates.
While winter competitions such as the NRL, AFL and Super Netball have been thrown into chaos by Covid 19, it is hoped summer sports will be less affected by isolation restrictions and border shutdowns.
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The Coolangatta Gold last year doubled as the opening round of the Nutri-Grain ironwoman and ironman series.
Later rounds of this series were held across summer with the finale in January.
Surf Life Savings’ other showcase event, the Australian Championships which regularly attract 5000 plus competitors from across the country and were scheduled to be held this month, was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
SLSA Surf Sports Manager Wayne Druery told NewsLocal plans were still being worked on for the major summer competitions and remains hopeful they will be held.
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“The Coolangatta Gold is still scheduled to be held on the Gold Coast from 24-25 October 2020 and at this stage we are hoping that the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 will allow for this event to take place as scheduled,” he said.
“We have not made any decisions to adjust or change this event yet but we are closely monitoring and adhering to the advice of the Federal and State Governments.
“With respect to the elite season and upcoming summer events, the circumstances at present don’t allow for us to be able to lock in anything with certainty at this point in time.
“However, we are certainly planning and working towards having an elite series again over summer but it is too early to determine exactly when this will be and format etc.
“We are working on a variety of potential options and it is something that we will advise upon at the appropriate time once firm decisions are made, in concert with any necessary Government regulations.